Do you need to pay for your private online security?

The price of digital security is difficult to express in numbers. Malware is a good example. These sneaky little programs gain access to your devices and transfer your private data to faraway computers run by fraudsters. The consequences - from draining your bank account to taking your data hostage by locking your device and then demanding a ransom - are many.

How much precaution is too much?

As in real life, precaution can save you a lot of trouble on the Internet. But it is by no means the mother of china. If your data is stored in the database of a doctor's office, a department store or a credit union, for example, it is only as secure there as the weakest link in the respective company's online security chain. And that brings us to the most important question when it comes to Internet security: do we opt for a free or fee-based security solution?

Free antivirus software

Free may seem attractive when you're on a tight budget, but unfortunately, nothing comes free in life. Free antivirus software has its pitfalls. While most free solutions have good reviews, their feature set is limited and they only offer basic protection. It is often necessary to upgrade to the paid version to get more comprehensive protection. In addition, free software may not be able to keep up with dynamic changes in the cyber landscape. Moreover, some free products are riddled with ads that can slow down your device.

There is also the risk of giving away your personal information and leaving your device at the whim of a free service. However, there are all sorts of sensitive transactions, irreplaceable photos and files on this device. If you rely on a free service, you are putting too much at risk.

Paid antivirus software

There's a lot to be said for paid antivirus software - such as excellent customer support and guarantees. Not only does it keep hackers, viruses, spyware, and malware at bay, but it also protects your identity and online transactions. When you subscribe to a service like Norton Security Premium, you can install the solution on multiple devices and get parental controls. This lets your kids explore the connected world safely. You also get 25 GB of secure cloud storage for your PC. Moreover, the solution provides automatic backup protection for your photos, financial documents and other important files on your Windows PC.

According to popular belief, paid antivirus software is aimed at users who use their devices for highly complex, professional tasks. But in fact, cyber criminals are no longer targeting your device alone. Their target is the confidential data stored on it. They are able to steal your money, your identity, and your data. Information that you may not think is important can fetch a high price on the black market. With new threats like spyware and data breaches, anyone can be targeted by cybercriminals, no matter how tech-savvy they may be. The best defense is to invest in a security package that offers comprehensive protection and excellent customer support.

Free or fee-based? What's the bottom line?

When it comes to digital security, purchasing an antivirus security package is a small price to pay for your protection. Compared to the prospect of investing hours and vast sums of money in recovering data lost due to poor security measures, buying a security solution seems like a far better option. So, using the expertise of experts who combat new threats using cutting-edge technology is only logical.