What’s the difference between VPN and Antivirus in terms of security and should you purchase them both?
We are currently living through a modern era filled with technology and innovation everywhere we turn around. It is no surprise that the internet is currently the most accessible and useful part of our everyday life when it comes to these technologies. Of course, having access to almost every piece of information you desire could be filled with lots of threats from every corner of the virtual world.
The internet has opened a lot of good possibilities to people all around the globe but has also left us prone to cybercriminal
What threats do we face online?
Cybercrime is something people do not think much about, yet it exists in almost every corner of the virtual world we experience on a daily basis. These dangers can come in different shapes and sizes and people should focus more on learning to spot the danger once they face it.
These threats can range from simple viruses such as malware (this term is used for any software that is programmed to harm or infiltrate your data) which also include adware, spyware and viruses to more advanced cybercrime tools that can pose a threat to you or your device.
Most common types of viruses are:
- Trojans – Programs that are presented as useful apps but have viruses hidden inside them
- Worms – Destructive software that can infect numerous devices by self-replicating
Once a virus enters your device it can do more harm than you would think. From the possibility to erase files, slow processing down to even destroying your hardware beyond repair.
Protecting your device could be treated the same as protecting your own well-being and identity
Now, these are the viruses that could inflict damage via software, but when we are talking about malware we are talking about online viruses and the malicious intent it can bring, such as:
- DNS attacks – where hackers exploit Domain Name Servers to gain access to your servers
- Surveillance – Data harvesting by cybercriminals, ISP, the government
- Hacking and identity theft
- Proneness to scams and tracking
Even though you might think these things are unavoidable when online, when it comes to staying safe, VPN and Antivirus security methods are one of the best choices to make when it comes to online and software protection.
VPN and Antivirus security
When we talk about protecting ourselves online and in general from the malicious intent that lurks around the web VPN and Antivirus security methods are the best among the best. So, without further ado we will try to bring you closer to these methods and let you decide which one is the best for you.
VPN
VPN or Virtual Private Network is an essential online security tool. By creating a safe and secure network between the virtual server and the user it ensures maximum internet data security. With the ability to completely mask its users real IP address this software makes sure that the internet history and data is not being tracked by anyone. Neither the government, hackers or even the ISP (Internet Service Provider) will not be able to track the internet traffic sent from the virtual server.
According to our expert, the best VPN services have built-in malware protection which tends to block or stop any suspicious programs or websites which might have malware in them.
By encrypting the internet data and forming a tunnel between the server and its user it is practically impossible to breach the firewall and steal the data inside.
When talking about online privacy and security VPN is the best choice one can make.
Antivirus
Every time you open something via your device – whether it is an e-mail, a file, a website or a new app you just downloaded you introduce a new code to your device’s processor. This often leads to potential malware infection.
This is where your Antivirus firewall protection comes in handy. Antivirus software is continuously scanning your device in order to find any hints of danger. This is a process that makes sure that nothing out of the ordinary is happening.
Having an antivirus in your device reduces the possibility of being exposed by a large margin
If an antivirus finds a suspicious code inside the computing activity it automatically isolates it and marks it as a threat. Unfortunately, cybercrime and malware are constantly evolving, finding new ways to gain access to any information and data from the device and antivirus companies are trying their best to make sure they stay one step ahead of these types of activities. This is why it is very critical to keep your antivirus software up-to-date.
Which is better – Antivirus or VPN security?
To be honest, Antivirus or VPN security are not the same. They are both excellent at their job but the main thing is that they serve a different purpose when it comes to protecting the user. While VPN plays a huge role in the online protection world, the Antivirus is a great way to protect your device and everything you have stored inside. The best thing you could do is combine the two in order to stay protected both online and offline.
By now, it should be clear that you should have both antivirus and VPN security because these are the best ways to stay protected in 2020.
Whether you use the internet on a daily basis or download files and use your device offline your security and privacy should always be the number one priority in any case. VPN and Antivirus work best in combination as they provide both online and offline security no matter the circumstances.