Differences between a free antivirus and a paid one

One of the main ways to protect against malware and computer viruses is by implementing antivirus software in any company's systems. An antivirus is software designed to detect, prevent, and eliminate malicious programs (malware) such as viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, ransomware, among others. Its main functions include:

• Scanning: it checks files, applications, and the system for known threats and suspicious behavior.
  
  

• Detection: during the scanning process, the program can identify the presence of malware, either through virus signatures (databases of known threats) or using behavior analysis techniques.
  
  

• Removal: When malware is found, the antivirus will attempt to remove or isolate it to prevent it from affecting the system.

Like almost any online tool, antivirus software comes in a free version and a paid version. Below, we’ll look at their main differences and why it's worth paying for the premium version.

Free antivirus or paid version?

Free antivirus programs offer basic protection against malware and are mainly recommended for personal devices that do not handle large amounts of data or sensitive information.

If we are looking for antivirus software for our business, we are almost obligated to opt for a paid antivirus, as it provides comprehensive protection against major cyber threats such as ransomware attacks, phishing, and other types of malware.

Below, we list the main differences between a free antivirus and a paid one:

• Full functionality. As we explained earlier, when you purchase a paid antivirus, it offers comprehensive protection against major cyber threats.
  
  In addition, paid antivirus programs often provide additional features such as firewalls, banking protection, parental controls, identity protection, and optimization tools.
  
  

• Updates and technical support. Free antivirus programs tend to have less frequent updates and do not include specialized technical support. In contrast, paid versions offer automatic and constant updates, as well as access to 24/7 technical support.
  
  

• Device performance. Paid antivirus programs are usually optimized to minimize the impact on the performance of the protected device. Free antivirus programs may be lighter in terms of functionality but sometimes include ads that affect system performance."

Risks of not having adequate antivirus protection

If we want to protect the device we work with, we must have the best antivirus available, as the consequences of suffering a cyberattack can be very damaging, affecting our company's reputation or the proper conduct of its activities.

Next, we will look at the main cyberattacks we are exposed to by not having good antivirus protection.

• Ransomware: El ransomware es un tipo de malware que impide el acceso a tu información y amenaza con dejar inaccesibles tus archivos en caso de que no accedas a pagar el rescate solicitado. 

• Phishing: Some antivirus programs offer tools to detect phishing emails or websites that attempt to steal personal or financial information, alerting the user before they enter information on fake sites.
  
  

• Rootkits: This type of malware allows cybercriminals to infiltrate a device and gain complete control of the infected system. Advanced antivirus programs can scan for and detect rootkits that enable attackers to take full control of the device.
  
  

• Botnets: A bot is malware that turns the device into part of a bot network controlled by cybercriminals to carry out massive attacks or spam.
  
  

• Exploit kits: These are toolsets that exploit vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to infect devices. Antivirus programs with vulnerability scanning can block these attacks.

At ESED, we invest in XDR technology

At ESED, we recommend endpoints with XDR technology for the automatic detection and removal of malicious programs.

This technology allows the antivirus solutions we implement to trace the source of the threat, isolating the devices that are at risk to prevent the threat from spreading and enabling automatic removal.

XDR is based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. This allows it to analyze extensive data points and locate malicious behaviors in real time, thereby automatically correcting errors.

Having a good antivirus that uses cutting-edge technologies, is updated, and provides 24/7 support is undoubtedly the best choice for protecting your business.