Tag Archive for: Advisor

10 Best Antivirus Software (April 2024) – Forbes Advisor


There are many antivirus programs available, and it can be difficult to choose the best one. The most important thing to consider is what type of protection you need. Some programs are better at detecting viruses, while others are better at preventing malware attacks. You should also consider how frequently the software updates, the compatibility with each of your devices and customer support.

Reliable Threat Protection

When it comes to choosing antivirus software, the most important thing to consider is the level of protection it provides against threats. The best antivirus software uses a variety of methods to protect your computer, including signature-based detection, heuristic-based detection, behavior monitoring, sandboxing and artificial intelligence.

Some threats, such as ransomware, are difficult to detect and require a multilayered approach to security. Others, such as viruses, are easier to detect but can still do a lot of damage if they’re not removed quickly. To assess how reliable antivirus software is, you should look at independent lab results and user reviews in addition to ensuring it takes a multilayered approach to threat prevention, detection and removal.

Frequent Updates

The best antivirus software is constantly updated to stay ahead of the latest threats. This is important because new threats are created all the time and old threats are constantly evolving. To ensure your computer is protected, you should look for an antivirus program that updates its database of known viruses regularly.

Your software should also update its virus definitions at least once a day, but more frequently is better. Some programs allow you to set the frequency of updates, while others update automatically. Most sales pages will tell you how frequently the software updates. If it doesn’t, ask before you purchase.

Cost

Users should expect to pay around $30 to $40 for a year’s subscription to an antivirus program that provides reliable threat protection, frequent updates and good customer support. This price may vary depending on the features offered by the program. For example, a business usually pays more for priority support than a home user.

The main…

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Popular Social Media App Discord Clamps Down To Fight Cyber Attacks – Forbes Advisor


Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

Multimedia social platform Discord is cracking down on malicious links, known as malware, by activating stronger security measures. From now on, Discord links that are shared outside the platform will expire after 24 hours. The goal is to lessen users’ exposure to malware, making it harder for identity thieves to steal users’ personal and financial information.

Hackers commonly exploit Discord servers to host malicious files and distribute malware. Malware can include spyware, key-loggers and viruses that infect users’ computers and reveal personal data and access codes, enabling identity theft and other crimes. In the past, familiarity with the Discord brand has often led users to click seemingly safe links that turned out to be malware, bringing on a cyberattack.

The new 24-hour expiration feature will only apply to links shared outside of Discord. Within Discord, shared file links will update automatically, so internal users can access files without the threat of expiration.

“There is no impact for Discord users that share content within the Discord client. Any links within the client will be auto-refreshed,” said Discord communications manager Hannah Stabingas.

Stabingas said the new measures, rolling out in December 2023 and early 2024, will enhance privacy and security for the app’s 150 million-plus active monthly users.

“This will help our safety team restrict access to flagged content and generally reduce the amount of malware distributed using our CDN (content delivery network),” Stabingas said.

Malware has been an ongoing problem for Discord. According to Discord’s latest transparency report, during the third quarter of 2023, 11,885 accounts and 2,389 servers were removed from the platform for deceptive practices. These practices include malware, fraud and scams, according to the report.

Cybersecurity expert Jake Williams, a faculty member at the Institute for Applied Network Security (IANS), says the new changes will likely be…

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Learn How To Become A Cybersecurity Specialist – Forbes Advisor


Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

Cybersecurity specialists perform crucial work in protecting sensitive digital information and communications. These professionals work with public and private employers of all sizes to ensure the safety of data for customers, government entities and healthcare organizations.

This guide offers information on how to become a cybersecurity analyst, along with details on other cybersecurity roles such as information security specialist. If you’re wondering how to get into cybersecurity, read on to explore salaries, job outlooks and available certifications in the field.

What Does a Cybersecurity Specialist Do?

Cybersecurity specialists handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data. Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks. They provide ongoing oversight for organizations’ cybersecurity efforts through several methods.

Cybersecurity specialists perform similar work to information security specialists but may focus more on hardware. As experts in cybersecurity, these specialists help to create, analyze and deploy organizational security systems. Cybersecurity specialists test for areas of potential exposure in interconnected computer networks, document their findings and provide solutions for vulnerabilities.

These professionals also educate co-workers on best practices, as breaches may occur accidentally or deliberately by bad actors within their companies. Cybersecurity specialists must remain up to date with changes in the field by researching emerging threats and fixes.

Cybersecurity specialists earn relatively high salaries. Payscale reports an average annual cybersecurity salary of around $97,000, and these wages typically increase with experience.

Cybersecurity specialists can anticipate strong employment growth over the coming decade. For example, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 32% projected employment…

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Bitdefender Vs. Malwarebytes (2023 Comparison) – Forbes Advisor


To give you a better idea of how Bitdefender and Malwarebytes stack up, here is a head-to-head comparison of their most important features.

Impact on System Performance

Bitdefender is known for its minimal system impact, even when running full scans, making it a good choice for businesses that require uninterrupted workflow. Its various modes, such as Game, Movie and Work, know when to halt pop-ups, adjust visual settings and pause unimportant background activities to allow you to enjoy your device to the max.

Malwarebytes also prioritizes system impact, particularly excelling in quick scan times. The software is optimized for efficient scanning of active threats, minimizing CPU usage and allowing other operations to proceed without noticeable slowdowns. But still, Bitdefender’s nuanced control through specialized modes offers better system performance than Malwarebytes.

Password Management

Bitdefender offers a built-in password manager as part of its comprehensive security suite. This feature helps users securely store and manage their passwords, making it easier to maintain strong, unique passwords for different online services. The password manager is integrated into the overall Bitdefender dashboard, providing a unified experience.

Malwarebytes, on the other hand, is primarily focused on anti-malware protection and doesn’t traditionally include a built-in password manager in its standard packages.

Anti-Spam Protection

Bitdefender offers built-in anti-spam features, particularly in its Internet Security, Total Security and Family Pack packages. These features are designed to filter out unwanted emails, reducing the likelihood of phishing scams and spam reaching your inbox. This is especially useful for businesses where email is a critical communication tool.

Malwarebytes, traditionally focused on malware and ransomware protection, does not offer built-in anti-spam features in its standard packages. Its primary focus remains on detecting and removing various types of malware rather than providing a comprehensive set of security features such as anti-spam.

If your business requires built-in anti-spam features as part of its cybersecurity strategy,…

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