There are many ways your computer can get infected, and there are more threats to your system than just viruses. It can be tempting to buy a lot of internet security software to keep you safe, but some of the top antivirus programs have these extra features to give you the best all-round protection.
Choosing a professional, deluxe, total, or other all-in-one antivirus software eliminates the cost of purchasing multiple programs. And it takes up less storage space on your device if you only have one solution to install.
Here are some important tools to make sure they are included with your antivirus program of choice.
Stop malware
Obviously, antivirus software stops malware of all kinds. The best ones are programmed to recognize new viruses and threats based on their behaviors and stop them before they are officially recognized as malware. These threats are often referred to as zero-day threats.
Antivirus software works great at stopping threats, but not many can remove existing malware. For this, you need malware removal tools. These tools are available on many antivirus sites for free, but the problem is getting access to them. A lot of malware recognizes antivirus websites and will redirect you, lock your computer, or prevent software from downloading.
Malwarebytes has a unique program that seems to bypass malware efforts so you can actually use it to remove threats. Once the threat is removed, it is important to install software, even if it is a free antivirus solution, to help avoid future attacks.
Network communications shield
A good antivirus will come with tools to protect your entire network. While most malware attacks occur when you click on a malicious file, allowing the threat to be downloaded to your computer, there are others that sneak through your internet connection.
Hackers and other hackers look for vulnerabilities in your system and enter to search for sensitive information. These include passwords to bank accounts, Social Security numbers on file, and employment contracts. Hackers often use this opportunity to determine if your computer is worth attacking with ransomware.
Firewalls are designed to look for and ensure your computer’s comprehensive defenses. You can use a standalone firewall, but the best antivirus will include one. This is more affordable and will not require additional space to store another program.
For the record, a lot of desktop and laptop computers come with a firewall as part of their operating system. This is a good starting point, but we’ve found it’s not the most secure. It is best to invest in firewall software that has been tested and proven effective.
Secure passwords
One of the functions of a good antivirus program is to protect your passwords. With a built-in password manager, this feature stores your logins and, if desired, fills them in for you when accessing online accounts. This is a good way to keep passwords stored but not on your desktop where they are more likely to be passed around.
Another advantage is that it will let you know if the password you created is hard enough for a bot or smart hacker to figure it out. You can get tips on how to set stronger passwords, or even let the program generate a difficult password for you.
Having a password manager on board means you don’t have to worry about remembering your passwords, because the antivirus will do it for you. Also, additional security features prevent hackers and hackers from discovering your credentials, so it’s much more difficult for them to pass on and use them.
File encryption
Encryption software scrambles files and messages so if they were intercepted, it wouldn’t make sense to the person who owned them. Medical records, financial information and military communications are encrypted before they are stored or shared to ensure sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.
For files saved on the desktop, using the antivirus’ encryption feature makes it more difficult for ransomware to lock them up because it won’t recognize them as legitimate or important files. Top-level antivirus software allows you to send encrypted files to others, along with a decryption key, right within the program.
You could use an independent encryption service, but why waste money when antivirus software can do it for you, and do it very well?
Identity protection
Identity theft is a significant and growing problem. It’s hard to keep up with the number of companies, and even government agencies, that have been hit by a data breach. When this happens, thousands of people are left vulnerable as their important information and identity is now in the hands of criminals.
More and more antivirus software includes identity theft protection. Most of these sites monitor the dark web and tell you if your passwords or personal information is being sold or used.
The best antivirus software has an identity theft protection part and will help you recover your identity if it gets compromised. This includes helping you file the correct forms with the IRS and contacting credit reporting agencies. They will also guide you through canceling credit cards and obtaining new identification, such as a driver’s license.