To Antivirus or not to Antivirus

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I like saving money. I like convincing others to save their money. 

So here's a tip: stop subscribing to antivirus software.

You don't need it. The threats you're most likely worried about won't be caught by it regardless of how expensive it is or how flashy its advertising is.

If you own a current, up-to-date Windows PC, MacOS computer, iPhone or Android phone your device is already loaded with antivirus protection that is running non-stop and updating itself when it needs to.

Chances are good that your Windows PC came already loaded with Norton or McAfee antivirus. Uninstall it. If you've already subscribed to it cancel then uninstall it. You don not need it and it won't protect you from what you're worried about anyway.

Windows includes Defender antivirus. Defender consistently scores as high if not higher than products like McAfee, Norton or Kaspersky. It is free now and always. It keeps itself updated. It is entirely hands-off and it just works.

Here is a recent rating of tested Antivirus programs: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

Mac computers also have built in protection just as iPhones and Android phones.

With these devices if you only install software/programs/apps from their official store you will be safe. The App Store for Apple products and the Play Store for Android products. 

As for the threats you're likely worried about, identity theft and tech support scams, Antivirus will not help you. These threats are a product of your behavior not a virus. 

  • Do not click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails.
  • Do not call the phone number on a scary screen that locks your computer.
  • Do not entertain anyone calling you claiming to be from Apple, Microsoft or any other company interested in your computer or phone. Just hang up. Better yet stop answering your phone when it's an unknown number. I can't tell you how many times I've seen somebody reflexively answer their phone then waste five, ten, twenty minutes of their time talking to a scammer. Just stop. Please. Stop answering your phone for unknown numbers. This step alone will greatly reduce your chance of being scammed. If it's important they'll leave a message. 

To sum: 
  • Antivirus, you don't need to buy it. Save your money.
  • The best way to keep yourself safe is to change your behavior.



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