Consumer Reports: Antivirus software to protect your tech gadgets
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Protecting your property from criminals is something most of us do — whether it’s locking your house, your car or even your bike. But, what about protecting the personal information on your computer from viruses or cyber criminals? To help with that, Consumer Reports recently tested antivirus software and explains why you don’t have to pay much — if anything — to get solid protection.
With so many options available for antivirus software, it can be hard to tell which one would offer you the best protection. And, as a reminder, you DO need protection!
In its Internet Crime Report, the FBI said it received nearly 800,000 reports of cyber-crime in 2020, up 69 percent from 2019.
Luckily, Consumer Reports put more than 30 antivirus programs through a battery of tests, exposing computers running Windows 10 and macOS to malware, malicious websites and phishing attempts.
“For the first time, we also gave each of the programs a data-privacy score. It’s based on how the company says it collects, shares and uses your data,” said Bree Fowler, Consumer Reports Tech Editor.
Good news: you don’t have to pay to get solid antivirus protection that also guards your personal information.
CR said Kaspersky Security Cloud Free and AVG Antivirus for Mac provide very good defense against threats.
That’s right, Macs need antivirus software too!!
“They’re both free, and they both scored excellent for advertising, which means you won’t be bombarded with ads to upgrade your service,” Fowler said.
Yet, CR said paid programs do offer some extra benefits.
Like the top-rated F-Secure SAFE, which offers a parental filter, banking protection and anti-ransomware and spyware technology.
If you do opt to pay for software, the experts at Consumer Reports caution — a higher price tag doesn’t mean better protection.
CR also said to make sure you’re downloading any antivirus software from a trusted site instead of clicking on an ad promising free antivirus protection. It’s best to go straight to the source and manually type in the web address for the product you choose.
You can find more information on the best antivirus software for Windows and Mac computers HERE.
You can find the IC3 Annual report for 2020 HERE.
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