What Is Antivirus?
An antivirus program is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and other types of harmful software that can harm your computer or compromise your personal information.
Antivirus software scans files and programs on your computer for known signatures of malicious code or analyzes their behavior to detect suspicious activity. If the antivirus detects any malicious code, it will either quarantine the infected file or remove it altogether to prevent further damage to your system.
Antivirus software is essential for anyone using a computer, especially if you frequently access the internet or download files from unknown sources. It can help protect your computer and personal information from cyber threats and keep your system running smoothly.
What Is A VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s computer and a remote server. This connection is commonly used to protect the user’s online privacy and security, allowing them to browse the internet anonymously and securely.
When users connect to a VPN, their internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to the remote server, which acts as a proxy for their online activity. This means that the user’s IP address and location are hidden from websites, online services, and other users on the internet.
VPNs can be used to access restricted content in specific geographic locations, such as streaming services, websites, or online services unavailable in the user’s country. They can also protect users from online surveillance, censorship, and other threats.
Individuals, businesses, and organizations commonly use VPNs to protect their online activities and sensitive data from cyber-attacks and other threats. Many VPN services are available, each with its own features, pricing, and security options.
Antivirus vs VPN
Although they both increase digital protection, they do so independently. A VPN cannot keep you completely safe online. However, it anonymizes web traffic between your ISP and a website. It is often advertised as a tool that shields from all cybersecurity attacks. However, it is only a part of cybersecurity. Here are a few fallacies of VPN advertising:
- The level of privacy you receive is based on your VPN service. If you pay more, you will get more privacy. This is false. When buying a VPN, you’re paying for server availability and a speedy internet connection since the VPN acts as an intermediary.
- In some online services and countries, a VPN can be banned. However, that doesn’t stop you from downloading VPN software in a different country or through a messaging service. Note this is extremely dangerous, and do not download the software you receive on Whatsapp or any messaging service unless you know it is legitimate.
- It does not make you completely anonymous; your identity can still be revealed and tracked. This is because: VPNs are an intermediary. They exist between your ISP and your device. If a government tries to discover who is on the other end of the VPN, it must cross-check between the ISP and the device.
Experts recommended to use both an antivirus and a VPN. Antivirus protects you against potential cybersecurity attacks when using devices.
Do You Need Both Antivirus And A VPN?
Antivirus is made to protect your device from any malware and cybersecurity threats. Installing both can protect your device from being corrupted and boost security when browsing sites and using applications.
With an antivirus, you can reduce your chances of contracting malware, phishing attempts, and other online threats while protecting your online activities.
With the addition of a VPN, you can anonymize your internet connection too. This will decrease your digital footprint, protect your data, and hide your browsing history and personal information from strangers. It makes it more challenging for third parties to discover your internet traffic, making accessing your data or information trickier.
Summary
A VPN alone will not keep you safe from cybersecurity threats. Download a VPN that offers other services as Agency does. Agency comes with a VPN along with 24/7 personalized managed cybersecurity. Our team is dedicated to keeping your web traffic secure & your devices safe.
Choose Agency. Other features that come with Agency’s services outperform legacy antivirus solutions such as:
- 24/7 real-time monitoring and response
- VPNs
- Next-Gen Antivirus/EDR
- ID Theft Coverage
- Virus & Malware Removal
Protect yourself from online threats with the best cybersecurity tools. Install Agency to navigate the digital world stress-free.
