by Dave Moore, 9-8-19
Computer virus. According to Lexico, “powered by Oxford,” (yes, the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary), “a piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.”
What does that mean, “a piece of code?” It’s a program, a computer program, an application, or “app.” This program copies itself, with the intent of “infecting” (remember, it’s a “virus”) other computer systems, and causing damage wherever it can.
People often ask me, “Who would want to do such a thing? Where do these viruses come from?”
The Internet bad guys, that’s who and where. In the early days of computing, say, in the 1980’s and 90’s, “viruses” were often pranks, “proof-of-concept” experiments to see who could be fooled into installing something that would mess up their computer. The damage was often minimal. Some more malicious viruses, such as 1992’s Michelangelo virus, were predicted to create a digital apocalypse, with computers being rendered useless worldwide.
Modern computer viruses are much more serious, affecting desktop, laptop, phone and tablet computers with equal ferocity. They are not to be ignored or trifled with. No longer the purview of adolescent experimentation, most modern computer viruses are written, distributed and managed by career professionals, organized crime experts who have one thing in mind: stealing your money. They use viruses as the key to your money lockbox.
Thousands of new viruses are released on the Internet every day. To the rescue come companies like Avast, BitDefender, Norton, AVG, and others, offering “anti” virus programs, programs designed to help you defeat the Internet bad guys. These companies have huge teams of researchers who spend every day, all day long, doing nothing but looking for the latest virus problems (now called “malware”) and coming up with ways to defend against them.
In spite of their efforts, however, all antivirus programs miss something. It is impossible for any single product to defend against all problems. It would be like asking your family doctor to know everything about every medical condition that has ever existed, or will exist in the future. It is an unreasonable request; it’s just not going to happen, and I think most reasonable people understand that.
Still, we keep going to the doctor, and we need to keep using quality antivirus products. Know, however, that not all antivirus products are created equal. I defer to the antivirus program ratings from Consumer Reports because they have a multi-million dollar laboratory to test such things, and I do not. I have followed their recommendations for many years and have yet to be disappointed.
Which antivirus program is Number One? The 2019 Consumer Reports ratings are in, and, the top three products in the “free” category are the same as last year: (1) Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, (2) Avast Free Antivirus 2019, (3) AVG Free Antivirus 2019 (note: AVG is owned by Avast, as of 2016).
I only list the top three products, as they are all good, with minimal differences between them. Why even consider a product that is not in the top three?
In the “paid” antivirus list, the top three are, (1) Bitdefender Internet Security 2019 — at $80, a bargain, in my opinion, (2) ESET Internet Security 2019 ($79), (3) Avast Internet Security 2019 ($80). The differences between the three are insignificant. They are all great products, and will all do a great job.
There you have it. Pick and and choose from the top three, either free or paid versions, and you will be in good shape.
Dave Moore has been fixing computers in Oklahoma since 1984. Founder of the non-profit Internet Safety Group Ltd, he also teaches Internet safety community training workshops. He can be reached at 405-919-9901 or www.internetsafetygroup.com