Before deciding, let’s have a little theory.
Antivirus program
– protects data from malware infection –
(Antivirus for short) is computer software that identifies, blocks and removes malicious malware, i.e. software that infects your devices (viruses, ransomware, adware, keyloggers and rootkits).
Anti-virus programs usually include a firewall, which is an imaginary wall between the computer and the Internet.
When activated, the user has control over the data and decides whether or not to allow the running program to access the Internet.
Benefits:
- get protection when browsing the internet
- helps detect, identify and remove
- runs in the background
Disadvantages:
- some antiviruses reduce performance
- free versions have pop-up ads and lack customer support
VPN
– protects data during transmission by encryption –
(Virtual Private Network) refers to a virtual private network that connects multiple computers on an Internet network. Their identity is then authenticated using digital certificates and encryption ensures secure communication. No one can see your real IP address as it is hidden behind the VPN address. Another security feature is the Domain Name System (DNS), which matches URLs to the corresponding IP address.
Benefits:
- perfect hiding of your IP address
- the possibility to choose from different IP addresses around the world before connecting
- access to geo-restricted content including streaming servers
- protection against potential threats from public and private Wi-Fi
Disadvantages:
- when used with multiple servers in mind, a speed reduction is possible
- identifiability based on browser cookies
You may mistakenly think that a VPN will replace your antivirus. The truth is that it will protect you from targeted attacks on your online data and privacy, but a VPN is short on phishing. VPN and antivirus have different purposes and different functions. Experience shows that a combination is the way to go – you NEED BOTH.
So minimise risks and stay safe from external attacks on your data and privacy.
The internet is full of threats that a VPN and antivirus alone cannot prevent. In many cases, this is a personal mistake that can only be minimized or eliminated by improving personal habits and security. In addition, there is an increasing amount of undetectable malware from which protection is not yet available.
Recommendations in a nutshell
- choose strong passwords that cannot be cracked and change them regularly
- be cautious when opening suspicious and unsolicited emails
- minimise visits to insecure websites
- use antivirus protection together with a firewall
- use a VPN to ensure maximum security
- keep educating yourself about security, not just on the internet
The Faster CZ team will be happy to help you not only with VPN setup.
