You may not think antivirus software is necessary for your personal devices or smartphones, but it might be if you’re worried about your data staying safe from harmful hackers and common ransomware and viruses.

Common free antivirus software may not work as well as leading brands that offer 99 percent protection 24/7, but going for a more economic antivirus software will offer great protection without breaking the bank. Shop business and consumer packages that might combine software and extra perks like password protectors or digital ‘vaults’.

Trend Micro, Panda Antivirus Pro, Norton AntiVirus, Kaspersky, F-secure, ESET, and BitDefender are all top brands when it comes to cost-effective antivirus software that’s accessible to the masses. But unfortunately, installing a standard AntiVirus software doesn’t render your PC as completely secure from that point forward. Users have to keep up with updates to truly combat viruses and avoid the slower performance that comes with them. Unfortunately, viruses are slowly becoming more and more advanced, designed to sneak past and trick current security software on the market. Updating your antivirus software is a first step toward avoiding these problems, but you’ll have to allow some time for the updates and software to do their work. Try to run updates overnight while you sleep or in the evening when you have more time to monitor the update without using your computer or device.

Another commonly believed detail that’s not necessarily true when it come to computer viruses is that if you don’t use your devices’ WiFi capabilities on a regular basis it’s still possible to get viruses, even if you’re only using a device for file storage or entertainment (movies, downloaded music, etc.). The same goes for people who believe that if they don’t download items from the internet, their computer will be safe from infection. That’s also not necessarily true. One wrong click on a website could also introduce damaging script to your device. So can e-mail attachments and online shopping.

But, slow performance may not be due to a virus. Oftentimes, your hard drive could be running at capacity with apps that are open at all times. Running without any open space on the hard disk can slow down computers without the presence of a virus. However, viruses do tend to slow your computer when they are present, and they’ll also slow your WiFi connection.

If you’re not willing to pay for AntiVirus software, there is free software out there that offers satisfactory protection. It’s also important to check out discounts and specials that common antivirus brands offer to help save you money year to year.

For more tips on how to keep your computer safe from harmful viruses and infectious scripts, call Rocky Mountain Computer Specialists today. With years of experience, we’ve seen just about everything, and are happy to help you navigate the world of cyber security.