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Each one of us is dependent upon various Antivirus programs like Kaspersky, Norton, AVG and other such popular security suites for the security of our PCs and laptops. We often install these on our systems and devices to ensure that it is safe of viruses, Trojans or any other potential threat that may lead to data theft. However most of us overlook the fact that there are other versions of these programs that are freely available for downloads. It might be possible that developers with malicious intent might tamper with the program and design, in a bid to harvest personal data to their benefit. Now the question is that are these freely available security suites safe.
Let us find out what is wrong and right about these freely available security suites:
Illegitimate Antivirus
Rogue antivirus is a program that is actual threat to any system or device they are installed onto. However, it is not easy to recognize a rogue program as these are designed in such a way that often users are duped into believing them to be genuine software. These programs are also called scareware as these programs often create a scare by generating fake alarming messages about malware presence in system. The overlooked aspect is that this program demands money to remove malware, an average user falls to this trick and divulges financial information. Even though the scan provided by this program is for free but to remove the viruses or malware from your system they will charge you. Mostly, users would fall for this trick and go ahead with it for the purpose of safety and getting the threat removed.
Scareware is a thriving business that uses fraudulent means of extracting financial information and even charging money for fake removal of threat. These are so convincing that often you will see customer care numbers or hotline for customer service given within these programs. However, all these are just tricks to convince a user into believing upon its authenticity. One thing to remember here is that you need to pay attention to the free scan and paid antivirus removal. This is often not the way a real antivirus suite works. This is where you need to keep an eye upon what is wrong.
What went wrong?
Scareware programs are designed to make money by fraudulent means. However, if you are already geared with legitimate security suite then you need not worry. The moment such a rogue is detected by your legit antivirus program, it will be quarantined and you will be alerted against this threat. This is how the system works when it encounters a fake program with malware in it. Nonetheless, it is essential to keep an eye upon these fake antivirus programs and not be duped into purchasing them.
What to watch out for?
It is essential to observe that a real program offers free antivirus trial version at the bottom of their product range. These legit programs too work upon the principle of upgrading to paid version when a user who opted for free trial goes for the premium paid version. Any legit antivirus program offers free distribution of their product range with free trial that will scan and quarantine any threat. You need to ensure that the program is coming from an authentic source and is a popular security suite like Avast Software,which is one such good example. This security suite has just completed its 25 years of successful antivirus product-line.
Installing a free version of a well-known security suite or an antivirus program is sensible. You are then under no such threat of accidentally installing a spyware, malware or a bot into your system.