Antivirus software is extremely important today, and this is because the internet exposes us to lots of security threats. With this software, you will be protected from these cyber threats such as boot sector viruses, direct action viruses, resident viruses, and macro viruses. These viruses can corrupt your files and may lead to the loss of essential data.
When choosing antivirus software, you will have to pick either paid or free versions. Paid antivirus software is generally considered more effective, but do you really need to pay for the software? Let’s look at the pros and cons of free antivirus:
The free antivirus will usually offer basic protection for your computer, tablet, or smartphone. In this case, you will get alerts before you open suspicious documents, and you will also be protected from common viruses. Free antivirus software will also warn you whenever you open insecure websites. It is important to note that the level of protection will vary depending on the antivirus software you use, so it is better to go for established brands like Avira.
In contrast, paid antivirus software will offer comprehensive protection from cyber threats. Every day, more than 350,000 new malicious programs are created, and paid antivirus software is meant to keep up with the changes in cyber security. In this way, you will get better protection when you pay for the antivirus. As mentioned, you should still go for high-quality programs as the level of protection can vary significantly from one antivirus to another.
Customer Support
Another key difference between free and paid antiviruses is the fact that free versions typically offer poor customer support. In most cases, companies wouldn’t want to spend extra resources on free products as these are usually meant to entice you to pay for the software. If you ever get a problem with these programs, you will likely need to solve them on your own.
Pricing
An obvious benefit of free antivirus software is that you will be able to save money on the purchase and can divert these funds to other business activities. If you choose to go for a paid program, you should still consider the price as this will help you save money. It is worth noting that most programs feature free versions, which you can try out before you decide to spend money on the antivirus. Although free antivirus can save you money, many will give you constant prompts to upgrade to a paid version, and this can be annoying. You may also have to deal with constant adverts on the programs.
Final Verdict: Should You Use Avira Free Antivirus?
Avira is one of the best-known free antiviruses. The free version of Avira will protect you from malware, spyware, adware, and ransomware. You will also get real-time updates and protection. The free version of Avira will not slow down your computer since it is designed to be very light. You can use it on your Windows device, Mac device, Android phone or tablet, and iOS device, and that means you will not need to invest in multiple antiviruses. This antivirus has received awards from many companies for its quality of protection, so you can be certain that it is extremely effective. However, you should note that free users of Avira will have to deal with ads and upgrade prompts.