Is paying for antivirus software worth it?

If you’re an ordinary user, you probably think that free security software is enough to protect your digital data and computer. Especially these days, as there are so many excellent options for security without any cost. But is it actually worth it if you  purchase a premium version of these antivirus programs? 

Free antivirus doesn’t mean that it’s any weaker than a paid one. It may have fewer features, but it still gives you the essential protection that you need to defend your devices. And premium versions also might not give you total satisfaction, but that just depends on the user.

Paid or free, you are probably looking for better protection of your devices and the data stored in them. Deciding which version to choose may seem challenging, but analysing both versions and determining if it’s worth paying or not isn’t very hard. Here, we’ll dive deeper into this topic.

The price of digital safety

It’s hard to put a price tag on digital safety when numerous risks surround the digital world that could make your life miserable without proper protection. Take malware, for example. These sneaky little codes can find their way into your devices, transmit your personal information to computers far away operated by fraudsters, and wreak havoc in your private life.

Unsafe usage and carelessness of your devices could result in anything from cybercriminals draining your bank account to holding all your information hostage by freezing your device and asking for a ransom. This is why users must consider applying security measures for better protection.

But, many can get overwhelmed by the thought of encountering these risks, making them unable to decide what to use for their safety. Is paid security software better? Or is the free version enough? Or maybe both? Let’s learn more about that.

How much precaution is too much precaution?

Just like in real life, being cautious online can prevent you from facing several problems. However, it’s not entirely enough. When your information is stored in doctor’s offices, department store databases, and credit unions, your information is only as safe as the weakest online security these companies use, unless it’s protected by using different measures.

This brings us to the biggest challenge of Internet security – free vs. paid Internet security.

Free Antivirus Software

It’s free. If you are low on budget, this could definitely be of help. But remember, there is no such thing as a free meal. Free antivirus software comes with its own flaws.

While most free antivirus software comes with a good rating, there is only so much it can do. It will provide basic level protection for your device, and you may have to upgrade to the paid version to get comprehensive coverage and features.

Furthermore, free software can sometimes act like an outdated program, it may not be able to keep up with the constant changes in the cyber world. In addition, some of the free antivirus software comes overloaded with advertisements that could slow down your devices.

There is also the risk of revealing your personal information by depending on a free service for your devices’ security. This is because all your sensitive transactions and irreplaceable data reside on your device. In this regard, it’s essential to know that some free software can gather this information and might misuse it.

From selling your data to other companies to using them for illicit activities, you can never be sure what they will do with your data once getting access to it.

Paid Antivirus Software

On the other hand, paid antivirus software has a lot to offer. It is backed with excellent customer support and guarantee, along with many additional features that lack in free versions. Moreover, it not only defends against malware and viruses, it also safeguards your identity and online transactions.

When you pay for a comprehensive security service like Norton Security Premium, you get protection for multiple devices, including family safety features. That means your kids can explore the connected world safely.

Additionally, with Norton 360, you get other benefits such as 25 GB of secure cloud storage for your PC, password manager, smart firewall, secure VPN, Dark Web monitoring, and Virus Protection Promise.1 It automatically backs up your pictures, financial files, and other essential documents of your choice on your Windows PC.

In case your computer gets infected with a virus even after you subscribe, a Norton expert will help keep your devices virus-free or give you a 100 % refund.

A popular belief is that only people who use their devices for more complex and high-end tasks need a paid antivirus software. However, the truth is cybercriminals are not only limited to breaching into significant users anymore. They are after any information they can get a hold of, which also includes you.

Hackers go after any vulnerable devices and try to extract financial and other sensitive info from them. What may seem unimportant to you can fetch a high price in the underground economy.

With new threats like viruses and data breaches, everyone can become a prime target for cybercrime irrespective of how tech-savvy they are. The best defence is to invest in a security suite that offers comprehensive protection and excellent customer
support.2

Free or Paid? What’s the conclusion?

When it comes to digital safety, buying an antivirus security suite is a small price to pay. With people spending countless hours and millions of dollars trying to fix what was lost due to security oversight, buying a security suite seems like the best option. Letting the experts use state-of-the-art technology to fight new threats for a small amount seems like the logical thing to do.

Learn more about the security options Norton Security can give you.

1 https://www.nortonlifelockpartner.com/security-center/norton-overview.html

2 https://www.nortonlifelockpartner.com/ns-in/