Does antivirus stop hackers? How to protect your computer

If you own a laptop or a computer – whether it’s for work, school, or business – you know how important it is to keep your data safe from hackers. While this used to be as easy as having a lengthy and complex password, this just isn’t the case anymore today. 

With the rapid development of technology also came the increasingly more creative ways that hackers can gain access to your information. And sadly, they can steal not just your money but, at worst, even your identity. 

Now, you might have heard that antivirus programs may be able to help, but you’re probably not sure how exactly they can do this. That’s what we’re here for. 

This article is the product of our in-depth research on how antivirus programs work, the level of digital protection they can provide, and how they can help you stop hackers. 

We also looked into the insights of digital security experts and gathered info from independent user reviews to give you a list of some of the best antivirus programs out there.

When it comes to digital security, we can’t be complacent. Remember, not even antivirus programs are 100% foolproof. Antivirus programs are reliable, but they still leave a small window of vulnerability that hackers can take advantage of. 

Keep reading until the very end so you can learn the best tip we’ve got for protecting your data. 

How an antivirus program protects you from hackers

Antivirus software works by scanning your computer for known viruses and then removing them. It can also block new viruses from being installed on your computer. 

To do this, antivirus software maintains a database of known viruses. The developers constantly update this database as they discover new viruses.

When a virus is found on your computer, the antivirus software will remove it and then notify you. Some antivirus programs will also quarantine the virus so that it cannot spread to other computers on your network.

The information above may be common knowledge to some. From the name itself, antivirus programs protect your computers from viruses, right? 

But how exactly can they help you keep your data safe from hackers? 

Well, antivirus programs are designed to stop malicious software, or malware, from infecting your computer. Hackers can use this type of software to gain access to your personal information or take control of your PC.

Most antivirus programs also include a firewall, a program that helps to protect your computer from outside attacks. It can block incoming unauthorized connections.

Different types of hacking and how antivirus protects against them

There are different types of hacking, and antivirus programs can help protect you from them in several ways. 

Some of the most common types of hacking are:

Malware

One of the most common ways hackers can gain access to your information is by injecting your computer with malware. 

Malware, or malicious software, is designed to damage or disable computers and other electronic devices. Hackers can use it to steal personal information, disable critical systems, or even destroy data. 

In some cases, malware can be used to hijack devices and force them to perform unwanted actions, such as sending spam messages or launching denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. It’s a serious threat to the security of both individuals and organizations, so it’s important to protect yourself from this type of attack. 

Some of the steps you can take include:

• keeping your software up to date
• using security tools like antivirus and antispyware software
• being careful about what you click on and download

Most antivirus programs will protect against this type of attack by removing the malware from your computer. 

Phishing

Phishing is when a hacker tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your password or credit card number. They do this by sending you an email that looks like it is from a legitimate website.

Antivirus programs protect your laptop or PC from this type of attack by blocking the email or website. Similar to malware, it also helps if you can be careful about the emails that you choose to open or the links that you click on. 

Denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

A DDoS attack is when a hacker sends so much traffic to a website or server that it crashes. 

This type of attack can be quite difficult to stop because the hacker can use multiple computers to send the traffic. It can also be hard to trace the source of the attack.

Antivirus software can also help you out here by identifying and blocking the malicious traffic that is attempting to overload the server. It can also help to identify the source of the attack and take steps to prevent future attacks from happening. 

SQL injection

SQL injection is when a hacker tries to insert malicious code into a website’s database. This kind of attack can be quite dangerous because it can give the hacker access to sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers.

Antivirus software helps to protect against SQL injection by scanning for and identifying known malicious code. Once identified, the antivirus software can then take steps to neutralize the threat, such as quarantining the code or removing it entirely from the system. 

In addition, antivirus software typically includes a firewall component that can help to block incoming SQL injection attacks. By configuring the firewall to block traffic from known malicious IP addresses, you can further reduce your risk of falling victim to an SQL injection attack.

Password cracking

Password cracking, otherwise known as brute force attacks, is a method of guessing or recovering passwords from data that has been stored in a computer system. 

In most cases, the goal of password cracking is to gain access to an account or system. However, crackers may also use passwords to encrypt data or spread malware. 

Antivirus software can help to stop brute force attacks by blocking the IP address of the hacker after a certain number of failed attempts. In addition, many antivirus programs come with a password manager feature that can help to keep your passwords safe and secure. 

By using a combination of these two features, the antivirus can provide an extra layer of protection against password cracking.

What antivirus programs fail to detect

While antivirus programs are very good at detecting and removing viruses, there are some types of malware that they cannot detect. These include:

1. Rootkits

Rootkits are designed to avoid detection. Rootkits can be used to steal personal information or take control of a system without the user’s knowledge. 

They are quite difficult to detect and remove, and most antivirus programs will not protect against this type of attack.

2. Bootkits

Bootkits are designed to infect the boot sector of a computer. This allows the attacker to gain access to the system before the operating system has loaded, which makes it extra difficult to detect and remove. 

3. Keyloggers

Keyloggers can record everything that you type on your keyboard. This information can be used to steal your passwords or other sensitive information. 

Keyloggers can be difficult to detect, and most antivirus programs will not protect against this type of attack.

4. Spyware

Spyware can collect information about you without your knowledge. Spyware can be used to track your web browsing habits or even record your keystrokes. 

5. Adware

Adware is designed to display advertising on your computer. It can be annoying and intrusive, but it is not typically harmful. However, some types of adware can be used to collect personal information or track your web browsing habits. 

What to look for in antivirus protection

When choosing an antivirus program, there are a few features to look for and some factors to consider to ensure maximum protection based on your needs. Here are some of them:

1. Scanning capabilities

It is important to choose an antivirus program that offers full-featured scanning capabilities. The program should be able to scan your system for viruses, spyware, adware, and other malware. It should also be able to schedule scans on its own.

2. Firewall

A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that helps to protect your system from unauthorized access. It can be used to block incoming connections or allow outgoing connections.

An antivirus program that includes a firewall will help to protect your system from both known and unknown threats.

3. Active protection

Active protection uses real-time scanning to detect and block malware before it can infect your system. It’s quite effective against almost all threats.

4. Automatic updates

Automatic updates are a useful feature as it ensures that your program has the latest information on new and emerging threats.

5. Behavior-based detection

Behavior-based detection looks for changes in your system that could indicate the presence of malware. It’s effective against new and unknown threats.

6. Signature-based detection

Signature-based detection uses a database of known malware signatures to detect and remove viruses. This type of protection is effective against known threats, but it can’t protect against new or unknown threats.

7. Heuristic-based detection

Heuristic-based detection uses algorithms to detect suspicious behavior that could indicate the presence of malware. This type of detection can be effective against threats, both known and unknown.

8. Price

The price of antivirus programs can vary widely. It is important to choose a program that fits your budget. However, you should not sacrifice quality for the price.

There are many free antivirus programs available, but they may not offer the same level of protection as a paid program.

Paid antivirus programs typically offer better protection against new and unknown threats. They also offer more features, such as behavior-based detection, heuristic-based detection, and active protection. Paid programs also usually include customer support and automatic updates.

However, free antivirus programs can still be effective at protecting your system against known threats. And they typically include features such as signature-based detection and scanning schedules.

9. User interface

It is important to choose an antivirus program that has a user-friendly interface. The interface should be easy to navigate and understand.

10. Compatibility

Of course, it goes without saying that your antivirus program should be compatible with your operating system. It should be able to work on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

11. Customer support

A good antivirus program offers customer support if you have any questions or problems. Many programs offer email, phone, and live chat support.

Best antivirus programs that offer excellent protection

Not all antivirus programs are created equal. Here are some of the best antivirus programs that offer excellent protection against both known and unknown threats.

Bitdefender Antivirus

Overall, Bitdefender is an excellent choice for anyone looking for comprehensive protection against malware and other online threats.

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus

Norton AntiVirus

Tips to improve protection against hackers

In addition to using an antivirus program, there are a few other things you can do to improve your protection against hackers.

1. Use a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help to improve your security and privacy when you are online. It encrypts your traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel. This makes it difficult for anyone to snoop on your traffic or track your activities.

2. Be careful with what you click

One of the easiest ways for a hacker to gain access to your system is by tricking you into clicking on a malicious link. Be careful with what you click, even if the link comes from a trusted source. If you are unsure about a link, don’t click it.

3. Keep your software up-to-date

Hackers can exploit security vulnerabilities in software to have access to your systems. That’s why it’s important to keep your software up-to-date. Make sure you install security updates as soon as they are available.

4. Use a password manager

A password manager can help you to create strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. This makes it difficult for hackers to guess your passwords and access your accounts.

Equipping your computer with a strong antivirus program, using VPNs and password managers, and having identity theft protection are just some of the ways you can protect yourself from hackers. 

At the same time, you should also keep yourself informed. Hackers typically exploit users’ lack of knowledge and awareness, especially when they perform attacks like phishing or social engineering. 

Make sure you keep yourself, your family, or your employees updated, especially when it comes to these common kinds of cyberattacks.

Pros and cons of using antivirus software

Antivirus programs, like everything else, have their advantages and disadvantages. Some of these may include: 

PROS	CONS
It can protect your computer from known viruses.	It can be expensive to buy and maintain.
It can block new viruses from being installed on your computer.	It can slow down your computer if it is not configured properly.
It can quarantine viruses so that they cannot spread to other computers on your network.	It can give you a false sense of security if you do not keep up with the latest updates.
Most antivirus programs also include a firewall which can help to protect your computer from outside attacks.	It can be difficult to configure correctly.
It is easy to use, and most people know how it works.	Some viruses are designed to bypass antivirus software.

Conclusion

So, does antivirus stop hackers? The short answer is yes. However, you also need to take other steps to protect your computer. Keep in mind that antivirus software isn’t a replacement for good computer security practices. 

At the end of the day, your best bet when it comes to protecting your data is still to use a combination of methods such as antivirus programs, VPNs, and your own knowledge and awareness when it comes to the most common kinds of cyberattacks and how to prevent them.

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