Cybercriminals seem to love attacking small businesses.
Part of the reason may be that small businesses aren’t as careful about security as their larger peers. To add a layer of protection your business, consider using one of the best antivirus programs described below.
Why your small business needs antivirus software
Have you been the target of a cyberattack? If not, it’s probably only a matter of time.
According to Verizon’s 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report, 58 percent of the data breaches happened in small businesses. Viruses, malware and spyware can have a devastating effect on your business.
The impact can range from slowing down your computers to deleting critical files to stealing confidential information. To stay ahead of the threats, you must protect your network and any computer that can access it.
Cybercriminals are getting smarter all the time, and many tech-savvy people end up allowing viruses to infect their computers. Cybersecurity is critical. The software listed below can help.
BitDefender
BitDefender offers a range of products, depending on your needs. You can protect 3-5 devices with Antivirus Plus 2019, Internet Security 2019 or Total Security 2019. These are highly rated products, mainly due to their reliability, web filtering and anti-phishing module.
Pros
- Accuracy
- Ransomware protection
- Password management
- Free trial
Cons
- Only Total Security 2019 works with Windows and Mac devices, the others work with Windows only
- Uses more resources than average
- May cause conflicts with some other software programs
Norton AntiVirus Basic
If you’re looking for antivirus software that comes with options and settings you can use to customize its operation, Norton fits the bill. It’s easy to use for the novice, but the expert can modify it as needed. The software is easy to use and is highly rated by lab testers.
Pros
- Blocks malware using behavior monitoring to identify and quarantine threats
- Low draw on device resources
Cons
- Browser extensions, such as the password manager can be unreliable
- Protects only Windows devices
Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
Webroot offers a full-featured product. Capabilities include behavior monitoring, accurate anti-phishing, a firewall, network connection monitor and anti-ransomware among others. If you need software that doesn’t take much to run, Webroot is a contender. It uses very little RAM and hard drive space.
Pros
- Delivers on the promise of a lightweight tool
- Extremely fast operation
- Protects Windows and MAC devices
Cons
- Uses unique detection methods, making testing a challenge
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Consider ESET when you’re looking for a product that does a fantastic job of the basics. Elite users will be impressed with this software. While it doesn’t have some of the more popular features such as a firewall or password manager, the power, ease of configuring, and above average protection are impressive.
Pros
- Extensive configuration options
- Controls access by external devices
- Protects Windows and MAC devices
Cons
- More expensive than some of the alternatives
- Requires an advanced user
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2019
Both novice and advanced users will find things to like about this Kaspersky product. Like the ESET product, it isn’t loaded with extras. But testing labs often find it to be among the best at malware blocking and remediation. Kaspersky worked hard on the user interface. A novice won’t be intimidated, and advanced users will find the tools and options they need.
Pros
- Consistently rated among the best performing products
- Easy to use
Cons
- Protects only Windows devices
Final thoughts
Your small business faces a number of cybersecurity threats. Antivirus software addresses one of those.
But you also need to have a complete network security strategy in place.
Not only does a data breach hurt your ability to do business, but also it can have a very negative impact on your reputation among your peers and customers.
In the digital age, news travels fast. Recovering from a hit on your reputation can take a long time—and sometimes it never happens. If you aren’t comfortable developing strong network security on your own, consider working with an IT solutions provider to make sure you get it right.
5-of-the-best-antivirus-programs-for-small-businesses-in-2019
