Do You Need Paid Anti-virus to Protect Your Identity?

• Anti-virus software detects and deletes viruses from a computer, protecting it against malware and cybercriminals.
• Do you need paid anti-virus? While anti-virus protects people’s devices, with the advancement of technology and the now-common use of cloud-based software, the need for anti-virus has changed.
• Most new computers have anti-virus built into the applications; older devices are secure as long as their software is up-to-date; the cloud provides a level of security; and anti-virus software is unnecessary on most mobile devices.
• To stay secure online, download the latest software updates, only download software from a legitimate app store, don’t allow the software to have general access to your device unless necessary, and never click on links or download software from unknown senders or websites.
• If you have questions or believe you are the victim of an identity crime, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center toll-free to speak with an expert advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting idtheftcenter.org to live-chat.

Anti-virus is a kind of software designed to scan, detect and delete viruses from a computer. It protects your computer against malware and cybercriminals. Once anti-virus is installed, it usually runs automatically in the background to provide real-time protection against known attacks.

Do You Need Paid Anti-virus?

With all of that said, do you need paid anti-virus to protect yourself? The short answer is “no” for most consumers. For decades cybersecurity professionals have emphasized the importance of having anti-virus software to detect and block malware. Cybersecurity professionals have believed that mobile devices like laptops, phones and tablets are also targets for some forms of malware and spyware. However, with the advancement of cloud-based software and modern mobile devices, the need for paid anti-virus has changed.

What Has Changed?

• Most new computers and laptops have anti-virus built into the operating system or the software applications themselves.
• Older devices can even be secure as long as they operate the most recent version of the software or application provided by the manufacturer.
• Increasingly, commonly used software packages like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are cloud-based applications, which reduces or eliminates the risk of cyberattacks on your device. That’s because software operating in the cloud has a higher level of security protection compared to software located on your devices.
• Mobile devices do not operate the same way desktop and laptop computers do. Therefore, anti-virus programs for mobile devices are largely unnecessary.

How Do You Stay Secure While Online?

While paying for anti-virus can’t hurt, and it can bring an extra layer of peace of mind, it probably isn’t necessary to achieve strong security. However, other actions are required.

• Configure your devices to automatically download the latest software updates and patches provided by the manufacturer and software developers. They protect you from new vulnerabilities that have been detected.
• If the version of the software you have is no longer supported, and your computer or device cannot run the latest version of software, that represents a serious security risk. You may want to consider removing the software, upgrading your device to one that is capable of running the latest software, or purchasing anti-virus software that offers updates for the software.
• Do not download software for mobile devices from a website. Instead, download it from the Google Play, Apple or other recognized application store. Websites can be easily spoofed to entice you to download malware that looks like legitimate apps. Even apps downloaded from legitimate websites are not required to pass rigorous security checks the way applications offered on the major app stores are.
• Do not allow the software applications to have access to your device or other apps or features unless necessary.
• Never click on links in text messages or emails from unknown senders or pop-up messages.

When considering the question “do you need paid anti-virus,” remember that there are other things you can do that will be more effective at keeping you secure online. Following the tips above will reduce your risk of falling victim to an identity crime or an identity criminal stealing your sensitive data.

Contact the ITRC

To learn more, or if you believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting our website to live-chat with an expert advisor during our regular business hours (Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST). Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.