Nonetheless, cybersecurity professionals advocate the use of other digital security tools to use alongside an antivirus. This is because antivirus is not sufficient lone protection, and it leaves your computer prone to several other risks like phishing, ransomware, and internet snooping.
Limitations of Antivirus Programs
Antivirus software does not possess the capability to protect your internet traffic. If a hacker gains access to your router or you’re connected to a hacked public Wi-Fi network, all your information would be monitored by the cybercriminal.
Also, antivirus programs detect malware based on the signatures of viruses that have been discovered. If a new kind of malware is downloaded on your system, the antivirus would not be able to flush it out. By the time an update would have been released to protect you from the virus, the damage would have been done.
Your device can also get infected via adverts containing malware. Some cybercriminals insert malicious codes into protected websites. Once you visit these websites, the malware could slip into your unprotected network, beating your antivirus’s security system.
Extra Digital Security Tools you can Use
1. Virtual Private Network
A VPN also referred to as a Virtual Private Network, is an implementation that enhances your device’s internet security.
What VPNs do is prevent all entities, legal or malicious, from snooping on your internet activity. VPNs perform this function by encoding the data requests sent to your device and received from your network.
A VPN also protects your personal information by modifying your IP address. IP addresses reveal data about a person’s location. Your IP address would change to that of the VPN server you’re connected to.
2. Sandbox
A sandbox is a tool that segregates software, restricting that program from destroying other files on your computer. It creates a highly controlled environment where the program’s code can be run. It does this by limiting the program’s permissions.
If damage arises from a program, it would be restricted only to that program.
3. Firewall
A firewall is a tool that protects your computer by restricting strange data packets. Through this process, the firewall prevents malware from getting into your system. Firewalls are considered the first line of security between your device and the internet.
Operating systems typically come with their firewalls. You need to activate and update your firewall settings. You can use a software or hardware firewall or both, depending on your preference.
4. Cybersecurity Education
The tool that is called cybersecurity knowledge is the most important tool of all. Before a cyber-threat gets into your system, it requires human action. Knowing the dos and don’ts of cybersecurity will go a long way in keeping malware out of your system.
If you run a business,
educating yourself on cybersecurity would be highly beneficial. While other businesses get attacked by ransomware, yours would continue to thrive and in the process, outrank your competitors.
There are tons of cybersecurity courses on the internet that you can go through in your free time.
Wrapping it Up
A lot of individuals harbor the misconception that having an antivirus on their devices is enough for digital protection. There are several layers to cybersecurity and antivirus programs are considered some of the last.
This is because an antivirus while efficient in its way, cannot completely protect your computer from malicious software.
To protect your devices, you can use a VPN, educate yourself, use a sandbox, and activate your firewall.
