It should come as no surprise to anyone that cybercrime is a growing problem that results in billions of dollars in damages every year. While many people think that there is little or no chance that they will be a victim of cybercrime, recent studies have shown us that almost everyone who uses technology will be targeted by these criminals at least once in their lifetime. Luckily, modern antivirus and anti-malware programs are more effective than ever and take just moments to install. Here is a closer look at just three reasons why this software will be invaluable to you and your business.
Protect Your Devices
Even though computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices are more affordable than ever, this technology is still a major investment for many people. Unfortunately, those who leave their devices unprotected might experience permanent or long-term damage due to malware and viruses. Most of these malicious programs are designed to steal information or spread the software to other devices, but some can physically alter the machine itself. This includes programs that put a system on “lockdown” until a fee is paid. Other forms of malicious software can destroy hard drives or even make a computer overheat due to all of the processes taking place in the background.
Protect Your Identity
The single most important reason to protect your devices is to prevent identity theft from taking place. According to the U.S. Justice Department, nearly 18 million Americans have their identity stolen every year. When this takes place, an individual might deal with years of financial problems including maxed credit cards, locked bank accounts, and unusual purchases from around the world. Unfortunately, over 15 percent of victims who have had their identity stolen lost over $1,000 before the crime was ever reported.
In addition to using comprehensive anti-malware programs, everyone should remain aware of how and where they connect to the Internet. According to Keller Computers, “Suspicious websites and suspect links should be avoided at all costs as they often contain hidden viruses.” Anyone who connects to open WiFi networks should have their security software at the highest settings. They should also avoid banking and connecting to any other financial accounts through these networks.
Protect Your Sanity
In addition to the financial impact of a virus, these infections can become a time-consuming and aggravating hassle. Many people have infected devices without even realizing it, and this can impact the performance of their machine and all of their other software. Different forms of malware will secretly install new programs, and this can eat up the device’s memory and bring its speed to a crawl. Other suspicious software will open up unusual websites or create hundreds of pop-up ads in a matter of moments. Even if the computer or tablet is not physically damaged, a single virus can cost you hours of your own time and energy.
