What is Better: VPN or Antivirus?
Internet security is a hot topic these days, and for good reason! The recent WannaCry and NotPetya outbreaks were some of the larger ones, but many smaller, more targeted attacks happen every day that we don’t usually hear about. This is because cyber attacks can be quite tricky to detect and even more difficult to stop once they’ve already begun.
It is important to note that while many individuals and corporations buy into the misconception that anti-virus and VPN are mutually exclusive, they are, in fact, quite compatible. The best security strategy isn’t necessarily to choose one approach and avoid the other; it’s to use both! Let’s dive into the reasons why this is the case and how you can use antivirus to protect your VPN connection.
Why Does Using Antivirus Help With My VPN Connection?
If you’re using antivirus software, it’s usually because you want to use a tool that is already well-established and trusted within the security community. This is also why many people believe that using VPN is a bit risky if you want to stay safe online; you’re going against the grain a bit by encrypting your connection, but it’s an understandable misconception.
Using an antivirus program isn’t a bad idea, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t the be-all-end-all of internet security either. It’s a great starting point, but the truth is that a VPN is still the best way to go if you want to protect yourself online.
Why is that? Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of both strategies.
Pro Tips: Using Antivirus With Your VPN Connection
If you’re using an antivirus program with your VPN connection, there are a few things you can do to make the most of it. First, make sure that the application is up-to-date. This means that it will detect new threats as they emerge and allow you to take advantage of new protections as they’re developed.
It is also a good idea to install the antivirus software on a second device just in case something happens to the first one. If you lose internet connection or your device gets stolen, you don’t want to be without antivirus protection. Finally, make sure that you’re using the correct device to connect to the VPN. You don’t want to use your laptop if you’re connecting to a desktop VPN, and you also don’t want to use your phone or any other mobile device if you’re connecting to a server.
Cons Tips: Using Antivirus With Your VPN Connection
While it’s great to use an antivirus tool with your VPN connection, it’s important to remember that they aren’t perfect and that they cannot protect your identity or data if you use them improperly or accidentally. Here are some of the things to avoid if you want to get the most out of your antivirus software:
- Using the same password for multiple accounts
- Registering for free accounts with popular websites
- Opening suspicious email attachments
- Sending sensitive information via email
- Using a weak password
- Neglecting security updates for your program
In other words, keep your antivirus software up-to-date, use strong passwords, and make sure that everyone you’ve connected to can see what’s going on. With these simple tips, you can ensure that your antivirus software maximizes the safety of your connection while you’re using it and that you don’t lose any sleep over internet security worries.