Emerging Networks

How to Choose Antivirus Software

Computer viruses have been in existence since probably the computer itself; however the solution for them is yet to arrive. It may seem surprising that there is no other option for us but to install a good antivirus system to make sure our PC is secure. For this it is best to choose antivirus software that best suits your system as well as your pocket. There aren’t as many software as viruses, however most of them both paid and free versions are capable of keeping the virus at bay. Here are some tips to help you choose antivirus software for your PC.

The first thing you must check is the specifications required to install the software. This is because an older version of the software, though cheaper, may not work with your system, especially if you have bought it recently. Though most companies release newer versions every year, you must nevertheless check the specifications to avoid compatibility issues. For instance, if you have a PC with Windows 7, the software versions 2008 or even 2009 may not work with the OS.

The next thing you must check is the type of virus database update available. Most paid versions provide live updates via the internet. In case you don’t have continuous access to internet you can also download the updates and install it on your system. Make sure both these options are available with the software you get. You must also check how often the virus database is updated. With newer viruses being released almost every day, one cannot be too careful. Some software update their database everyday, while other provide weekly updates. This entirely depends on your requirement and sensitivity of data on your PC. For instance, in case you use your system for business purposes, it is best to get software that provides updates on daily basis.

Apart from this, you must check if the software can be scheduled to scan the system and if idle scan facility is available. More often a virus sits on your system causing damage which may not be very evident, where you come to know of it only when your system has crashed. Idle scan ensures that your system is scanned for virus even when it is not in use.

The last thing you must check is ease of upgrading and compatibility with common OS in use. If you have bought the latest version, chances are the next upgrade will be available a year later. However you must check if the version you have bought works on different platforms and is flexible enough to work on all common OS.