Protection:

A decent antivirus must provide all-inclusive protection with several layers of defense against all known threats, such as ransomware, network attacks, and dodgy websites. 

High-quality security programs will guarantee protection for over 99% of threats. Top products include Norton, Bitdefender, and McAfee, all of which scored 100% on our most recent tests.

Speed:

There’s no point in an antivirus that works very well but stops you from doing anything else while it's running because it's so resource-heavy. Watch out for performance lags at the timings of restart and on your PC’s overall performance; it should be fast.

If you do CPU-heavy activities on your device like HD streaming, gaming, or video/photo editing, choosing a lightweight antivirus software should be your top priority.

Other Features:

Finally, many antivirus products will offer other features, such as parental security, encrypted storage space in the cloud, protection from infected websites, and spam blocking.

While some customers may get benefit from extra protection and more tools, it might not be necessary for others. Make sure you consider the extra features are something you’ll actually use before paying more for it.

How to Install an Antivirus on Windows:

Regardless of which antivirus you’ve chosen, the setup and installation on a Windows device are usually quite similar. Here’s how to do it:

  • Create an Account:

It’s not always necessary to create an account immediately, but it will help you in the long run. Some providers won’t ask you to sign-up immediately but will require it within 30 days of purchase.

Creating an account will give you direct access to updates, and a place where you can manage your licenses and other features, such as remote anti-theft security features for your mobile device, all in one place.

  • Download the Antivirus:

Click to download the antivirus. It will usually take how much space is required, so you may have to delete files first to make room for it.

  • Authorize Changes:

It’s also essential to ensure you have admin privileges for your computer, as you’ll have to authorize the software installation. This step asks you to enter your password by an admin account. It sounds confusing, but chances are you’re already the admin and when you try to install it, Windows will allow you. Just give it a try.

  • Follow the On-Screen Installation Process:

Next, the software will lead you through a short installation process, which usually involves accepting the terms and conditions and establishing where the antivirus will be saved. The installer box will tell you these steps.

  • Restart your Computer:

The version you download might not be the most up-to-date version. Simply reboot your computer, which will start any updates to load automatically. Once this is completed, go for a full scan on your computer.

How to Install an Antivirus on a Mac:

Because of the protection things like Gatekeeper afford to Mac users, you may think you’re safe from viruses, but Macs are actually still vulnerable to Trojan horses, phishing scams, and other adware such as Crossrider and piggyback programs like Mac Auto Fixer.

Once Installed, Scan for Viruses:

Once you’ve installed your antivirus software, you’ll need to scan for threats. Most security program offers three scan options – either manual or automatic – all of which provide more depth of inspection:

  • A Quick Scan:

Quick scans usually take 10 to 20 minutes, as they only check the common areas that are most likely to be infected. This lets the scanner pass through most of your network, which increases speed but reduces processing power so you’ll have to leave your computer alone while it runs. Often, this option is enough to sort out any problems.

  • A Full Scan:

If your quick scan came back clean but you’re still concerned your computer may be at risk, then run a full scan. This option checks every file or folder of your system to ensure there are no viruses sitting in dark corners and can take a couple of hours to complete.

Advanced malware threats like spyware may not be found in a quick scan and will require a deep check to uncover. While a full scan is one of the slowest options, it guarantees your drive is clean.

  •  A Scheduled Scan:

Scheduled scans run automatically to check files for viruses as you use them, providing real-time protection for your machine.

Most antivirus products have their scans scheduled by default, but it’s possible to change their frequency (daily, weekly or monthly) and time within the settings if you would prefer them to run at specific times – for example late at night when you’re not using your device.

Also Read: USB Not Recognized In Windows 10

Also Read: How To Increase Wifi Speed In Laptop

Conclusion:

There are many antivirus programs for Windows or Mac products that are easy to use, download, and install so there’s absolutely no reason to leave your computer or network vulnerable. Still looking for a decent antivirus to install on your device then these tips will help you a lot.