Customers often ask us about security for devices. We would always recommend some form of additional security for a Windows or Apple device. Windows 10 (and now 11!) come with Windows Defender built in. By itself it tends to score poorly in tests. We recommend a paid for security program. Free ones do exist, but are the first thing we uninstall when a machine comes in with connection issues!
What do we recommend?
We use Bitdefender or F-Secure. F-Secure is better for Macs. Both score well in product tests.
The role of a security program is to allow you to get on with what you want to do, whilst protecting you from the threats that are out there. To be clear what a security program cannot do is stop fake emails getting through, or stop you from going somewhere you shouldn’t online. It also does not stop you giving access to a third party to your machine, but can help with the cleanup afterwards.
Security on Mobile Devices
Customers also ask whether to run a security program on a tablet or smart phone. If it is an ipad or iphone then we would not recommend it. The way these devices are made the presence of a security program can slow the device down and stop some apps from working correctly.
Security is more relevant on an Android device. Google do not control the apps that get uploaded to their store as closely as Apple. This means that you can get apps that try to get more access to your device than perhaps is wise. F-Secure can run across all platforms so is a good choice if you have multiple devices to protect.
If you need a security program installing, want some advice or would like us to check that your machine is as secure as it can be, give us a call, pop in or drop us a line.