Antivirus-Only Is Dead. Long Live Security!
Are you doing enough to keep your information safe? With today’s sophisticated cyber threats you need more than just traditional antivirus (AV) software to stay protected. AV software can prevent, detect and remove malicious computer programs, and while more traditional viruses and email spam still exist, people now have more complex threats to worry about – and more important information to protect.
You need to guard your devices from not only viruses and worms, but web threats, spam and phishing. Cybercriminals can also use drive-by methods for stealing information and concealment malware that includes Trojans, backdoors and even fake antivirus software that can put your information at risk. Although antivirus products are meant to keep cybercriminals out of your devices, hackers can often work around these programs using social engineering, zero-day threats and other tactics.
Chances are you may need a security tune-up. At Symantec, we get a lot of questions from people about whether they’ve got the right software on their smartphones, tablets and PCs to keep viruses from infecting their devices. For a long time AV technology was the best defense against threats and our Norton solutions did a fantastic job of keeping viruses and worms out of your way. But the new landscape of threats requires proactive attack protection that includes antivirus AND intrusion prevention.
If you use our products, like Norton AntiVirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360, or Norton 360 Multi-Device, you already have a solution that provides more protection technologies than antivirus alone. These products include multiple layers of protection that help to protect you against existing threats, but also analyze suspicious files’ reputation, characteristics and behavior to determine if they are malware to stop known and unknown threats.
We’re always updating and tuning up our services to make sure you have the best security, but remember that a strong defense starts with you. Here are a few tips to make sure your information stays safe:
- Beware of scams. Cybercriminals may use phishing emails to trick you into opening infected files and links. Delete messages from unknown or questionable sources and do not open or click links in the email and contact your account holder directly if you have a concern.
- Stay secure. Don’t share personal information when browsing through public wi-fi networks. An unsecured connection can expose your browsing history, personal and financial details. When shopping online, use secure retailer websites and look for “HTTPS” in the web address.
- Install security software. If you haven’t already, install security software on all your PCs, smartphones and tablets as your first line of defense against attacks. Reputable products, like Symantec’s Norton products, will protect you against malware being unknowingly installed on your device and help you avoid malicious sites.