Great antivirus software offers watertight protection and extra features to keep you safe from scams while being easy to install and use – we've even got a full list of the best free antivirus options. Threats come in many forms, but malware, ransomware, and Trojans are generally designed to either take your data or do just enough damage to your system that you'll pay a high price to reverse the effects – if you fall for the scams in the first place. The way that viruses behave, and their end goal, have changed over the years – but the root is the same: they intend to steal your personal data or money. Protection is increasingly more important as more and more of our daily lives involve conducting ourselves online. It remains the strongest defense there is against hackers and cybercriminals who want to expose your online devices for their own financial gain.

Viruses and malware are nothing new, and downloading antivirus software is the first and most important step in staying protected online.

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