Considered by many to be the cybersecurity question, the debate about antivirus vs VPN, and which one you should choose is a hot topic. For an average man, the whole internet security saga is as confusing as Quantum Physics. But in this article, we’ll approach this debate as simply as possible.
Security is the first thing you should consider when going online. Source
Antivirus 101: What is it?
Consider this:
You have been invited to a conference and you accept the invitation. Finally, the day of the conference arrives and you approach the theatre where the conference is scheduled at. Once you approach the gate, the guard checks you to ensure you’re not carrying any weapons or illegal substances. If not, you are allowed in.
Now let’s stop right here and see what we have. In the above scenario, the user of the computer is sending out invitations. The ones receiving the invitations are the programs that you are going to install. The theatre is your computer, and the guard is the Antivirus software.
Just like the guard has the ability to stop an attendee at the gate, the antivirus can also detect dangerous software and stop it from running. So, in this process, the antivirus would shield your computer from getting infected.
Antivirus 101: The detection mechanism
Antivirus detects malicious software in the following manner:
- The antivirus continually runs in the background, performing security checks
- During these security checks, if the antivirus finds a piece of code that resembles a known Virus, it compares that code with the code of known viruses
- Once it is certain that it has found a virus, it stops that code from running by automatically putting it into quarantine
- Once in quarantine, the antivirus notifies the user and gives him the option of deleting or restoring the file
This method makes an antivirus, a ‘reactive’ security guard. It takes action only when it has found something. While this approach has worked quite over the years, researchers are finding out that this ‘reactive’ approach to security is quickly becoming outdated.
VPN 101: What is it?
First, understand what happens when you go to a website:
- Normally, when you enter a website address, say, Google.com, your computer sends a request to the server it is connected to
- The server then sends this request to google.com, which responds accordingly
Now you see this is exactly where the problem lies. The server you are connected to is monitored by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which allows it to log your activity and monitor your Internet usage. Furthermore, the data gathered by your ISP can then be used to show you ads and block content that doesn’t meet your ISP’s guidelines. And if that wasn’t enough, the data you send online isn’t encrypted from your ISP.
This is where a VPN software makes its strongest argument: it is an intermediary between you and the things you want to do online. It takes your data and securely transports it to and from the website you want to go to. It anonymizes your connection and encrypts your data.
Both of the above actions make your data almost impossible to steal and your activity really, really hard to monitor.
VPN 101: The way it works
Now let’s see how a VPN works:
- When you install a VPN software on your computer, the software establishes a connection with the remote VPN server
- Think of this connection with the server as a tunnel. This VPN tunnel is used to safely transport your data so that it remains out of the reach of hackers
- Furthermore, the data is first encrypted before sending it through the tunnel. The encryption is done to make sure that your data remains safe even if someone were to get his hands on it
- Encrypted and passing through a tunnel, the data reaches the server and is then transmitted to its final destination
- On its way back, the data follows the same procedure and the website which responds to your request only sees the location of the server and not your actual location
And voila… you have a secure end-to-end encrypted connection
You might have already guessed how this whole process benefits the end-user. The online activity is anonymized, encrypted. At the same time, if you use a good VPN, it evades any and all tracking done by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the authorities.
Simply put, using a VPN frees you from problems such as:
- Tracking
- Identity theft
- Geo-restriction
- Personalized advertisements
When it comes to Internet Security, the following VPNs are highly recommended:
Antivirus vs. VPN: Why VPN should be given priority
Now that we know what makes an antivirus, an anti-virus, and what makes a VPN a nightmare for hackers, it is time to compare VPN vs. antivirus.
First of all, understand this:
Each of these tools excels in one thing only. But considering this is the age of the internet and we are talking about cybersecurity, this comparison is focused solely on the implications of these tools for your online security.
A VPN encrypts your data
This is, perhaps, the biggest difference between VPN and antivirus:
A VPN encrypts your data before sending it over the network. While an antivirus does no such thing, it can only protect you from malware and viruses that have already been introduced into your computer.
VPN hides your actual location
A VPN hiding your IP address keeps you secure from:
- Trackers and annoying ads
- Your ISP and the Government since they can’t monitor your online activity
- And anyone else who might be interested in your actual location (A stalker perhaps)
Predictably, antivirus software can’t do this.
While a VPN is the absolute choice when it comes to securing your online presence, there is no doubt that it is only one end of the internet security spectrum. You can’t be completely secure without an antivirus.
ransomware attacks are common problems nowadays. Source
The best strategy: use a combo
While it is true that a VPN should be given priority, the fact remains:
A VPN can’t do anything if your PC is already infected.
If your computer is infected by a virus, it is already leaking your data. That is exactly why you should use an antivirus software as well.
This is exactly the reason why an antivirus and VPN package is the best cybersecurity tag team around.
Following are the contenders for the best antivirus with VPN bundles that you should consider investing in:
- Norton Antivirus + Secure VPN
- Webroot WiFi security with its VPN
- Avast antivirus with SecureLine VPN
- BullGuard VPN + Antivirus
- Avira Prime and Phantom VPN Pro
1. Norton Antivirus + Secure VPN
Norton Antivirus has the largest market share among antivirus software. It is known for its up-to-date virus definitions, top-of-the-line malware protection, and other tools. It is safe to say that you can’t go wrong with Norton antivirus.
The case for Norton is made even stronger when its premium service comes bundled with a built-in VPN. Secure VPN boasts bank-level encryption and no trackers. It is a pretty sweet deal if you consider the value you are getting with this bundle.
2. Webroot WiFi security with its VPN
Webroot antivirus is known for its snappy device scans. It promises up to 60 times faster scans and protects you from real-time threats such as identity theft, phishing attempts, and webcam hacking. Furthermore, as it comes ready with its Webroot VPN, you can rest assured that you will be protected both online and offline.
Webroot VPN offers up to 5 simultaneous connections, doesn’t keep logs, and is really easy to install. All of these features make it a worthy cybersecurity solution.
3. Avast antivirus with SecureLine VPN
Avast is a well-known and respected antivirus suite. But most people don’t know that it also offers a killer deal with the combination of its antivirus and SecureLine VPN.
Avast’s SecureLine VPN has all the features you would expect from a top-notch VPN. It offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and has multiple servers all around the world if you have Avast Secureline VPN license. Throw in Avast’s CleanUp Premium and Passwords Premium, and you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet deal.
4. BullGuard VPN + Antivirus
NordVPN comes bundled with BullGuard Antivirus. The VPN offers the same features that you expect, including but not limited to, military-grade encryption, no trackers, and a pretty tough no-log policy.
5. Avira Prime and Phantom VPN Pro
Lastly, Avira Prime antivirus has an excellent bundle with the company’s own Phantom VPN Pro. While the Prime protects your computer, the Phantom VPN Pro provides military-grade protection, a no-logs policy, and an easy-to-use interface. Also, with this bundle, you’ll be getting their Password Manager Pro and SpeedUp pro.
In short, while the discussion of antivirus vs VPN is ongoing, one thing is certain:
You need both a quality antivirus program like Norton and a top-notch VPN like:
Without any of the above, you are putting yourself in the line of fire. And believe me when I say that you don’t want to end up as the victim of a ransomware attack.
If you’ve found this comparative blog informative, you might also want to check out our comparisons on Tor vs VPN and VPN vs proxy.
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