There are certain habits when using the internet and opening email which can make you significantly more vulnerable to viruses and malware. If you avoid these kinds of risky behaviors, you may be wondering, “Do I need an antivirus?”
The answer is yes, you do need an antivirus.
Just because you don’t click on strange links, visit sketchy websites, or activate lots of plugins, doesn’t mean you aren’t at risk. Even fully patched, reputable internet browsers can be vulnerable to malware. Security flaws are found all the time and patched once they are found, but this means that there’s always a risk to your computer, even visiting legitimate websites, and an antivirus software could be your last line of defense.
Doesn’t an Antivirus Slow Down Your Computer?
This used to be the case, and with some programs, it still is. With how fast computers have become, most antivirus software programs don’t make any noticeable difference in the speed of your computer.
What is the Best Antivirus for Windows?
If you’re using Windows 10, Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus, very light on resources, without bothersome advertisements or junkware. If you’re still on Windows 7, you can still download it as Microsoft Security Essentials. Another add-on you could download is called Malwarebytes for PC.
Still Be Careful – No Antivirus is Perfect
Keep in mind that you should still be smart about what you do online and what you click on. No antivirus program catches absolutely everything, so it’s important to have many layers of protection in place to give you the best chances of keeping your computer safe.
