Why Do You Need a VPN Along with Your Antivirus?
Antivirus and VPN are complementary security tools that make a complete cybersecurity suite that provides comprehensive online security to your device and online activities. It keeps your PC clean, safe, and fully functional while at the same time protecting your online privacy and internet browsing and maintaining complete anonymity during online activities. So, using a VPN along with antivirus software doubles down your online security and provides you with a seamless internet browsing experience. The following points prove this idea and give you a detailed picture of why antivirus and VPN are complementary security tools.
1. Antivirus vs. VPN – Different Functions
Antivirus detects and removes malware, viruses, spyware, and ransomware from your device. On the other hand, a VPN encrypts your internet connection, hides your IP addresses, and prevents hackers and third party platforms from tracking your online activities.
2. Protection from Cyber Threats
Antivirus plays a crucial role in blocking malicious files and phishing attempts from hackers. It keeps your system clean and malware-free, allowing it to operate at an optimal level. At the same time, a VPN successfully prevents man-in-the-middle attacks and secures your device from hackers and malware infiltration. It secures your device connection, especially when you are using a public WiFi connection.
3. Privacy & Anonymity
Antivirus protects your device from malicious programs such as malware, ransomware, trojan and phishing attacks, but it cannot make your device hidden from the hackers, attackers, interceptors, internet service providers, and government agencies. It is a VPN that ensures no government agency, third-party platform, or hacker in the middle intercepts your online activities and data packets. It is a VPN that provides you with complete privacy and anonymity while you are connected to online services. Even internet service providers cannot track you or learn about your online behavior due to the virtual private network.
4. Safe Online Transactions
Cybercriminals use keyloggers and banking trojans to steal credentials and banking details of a user. Antivirus comes with advanced security tools that detect and block keyloggers and banking trojans before they access any sensitive user data or carry out any malicious operation. But this data is still not safe if they intercept it in between while making or sending the request to complete a transaction or logging an account. It is VPN that comes in to rescue user data during transfer and sending. It encrypts financial details and transactions and prevents the interceptors in the middle from getting any information about the user. This way, it allows the user safe online banking transactions.
5. Avoiding Geo-Restrictions & Censorship
An antivirus cannot give you safe access to online content that is restricted to a specific country. But with the help of a VPN, you can ignore these boundaries and access the geo-blocked content easily. It can bypass regional boundaries and provide you with global access to internet sources located in different regions and countries.
6. Stopping ISP & Ad Trackers
Internet service providers can still track your online behavior even if you are using a robust antivirus solution on your device to protect it from adware and malware distributions. Security software cannot stop your ISP from seeing your online likes and preferences. It is a VPN that masks your IP address and prevents ISPs or third-party platforms from tracking your online activities and profiling your online behavior.
7. Secure Remote Work
No doubt, antivirus software protects your files from malware infections and maintains system integrity. But if you are connecting to a remote company network to do online activities, then it won’t help much. To fulfill this need, a VPN is an ideal tool that encrypts your connection and provides secure access to the company networks. It prevents hackers and middle-man attackers from intercepting your network and stealing any data from it. A virtual private network encrypts your data end-to-end and allows you to access the company network risk-free.
Conclusion
Both antivirus and VPN play a crucial role in making your digital life secure and risk-free. The antivirus program gives protection to your device, data, apps, and programs that serve the first purpose of a digital security malware free device. On the other hand, a VPN works at a more broad level, ensuring network security, online privacy, and secure online browsing. It protects you from hackers, ISPs, and government authorities tracking your online activities.