5 Features Of The Best Cybersecurity Software For Busy Families

But let’s face it: kids don’t always stay away from risky websites and they can be too trusting when chatting on social media. And with everything connected to your centralized network, the whole setup can become more vulnerable to the ‘bad guys’. Having cybersecurity software for your entire family is the best way to make sure your network of devices is sufficiently protected.

Microsoft Defender

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1</sup>Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription required; app available as separate download

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Fortunately, you can actually get some of the best cybersecurity software out there without spending an arm and a leg! In fact, if you have Windows 10 or 11, Microsoft Defender Antivirus comes pre-installed free and offers real-time protection from viruses, malware, spyware, and beyond. It even activates automatically if you don’t have any other antivirus solution on your device. Other antivirus software brands may also come pre-installed when you buy a new Windows PC.

But what if you don’t already have that level of protection baked in? Here are some important things any good antivirus software should do in order to keep your devices, personal information, and your family safe:

• Offer custom firewall settings. Your firewall is what will passively prevent threats from entering your system. You should be able to select the kind of content you want locked down—and the type you’re willing to be free and loose with. For instance, a computer that isn’t used for anything other than video games can have a tighter firewall than one that has to frequently download files from a server. Adjust your firewall settings as you see fit, so you’re protected without limiting the functionality of your device.
• Verify downloads from your web browser. Any time you download something off the internet, you’re putting your computer at risk of being exposed to malware. Digital pirates can hack even reputable sites, and viruses can be embedded into the code that will infect your computer after you download something you thought was perfectly safe. Cybersecurity software should scan and verify that downloads don’t pose a threat to your system. A scan will let you know whether you’re trying to download a potentially threatening file or if it’s clean and won’t cause any problems.
• Run scheduled and manual system scans. You don’t always know when your computer has been infected by some type of malware. You might start to notice your computer slows down a bit, crashes from time to time, or constantly pops up ads in your browser. These are all signs that you might have malware on your computer. Your cybersecurity software can scan your device and alert you to malware that’s been running in the background of your system or scraping for personal information. If you’re worried your system is infected, but you don’t have a scheduled scan coming up, you should be able to hop into your software and run a manual scan. It will return the same report of a scheduled scan so you can see whether or not your computer is infected or simply needs a hardware update.
• Provide an adaptable protection system. Artificial intelligence (AI) coding and algorithms are being used in areas we probably wouldn’t have considered even a decade ago. With things like search engines learning our online habits to inputting minimal information and having a website built in mere moments, AI is getting more advanced every day. You can take advantage of AI in your house by getting cybersecurity software that “learns” what threats look like. Remember that hackers are always looking for new and inventive ways to infiltrate your system, so they’ll evolve malware to go undetected whenever possible. Your antivirus software can identify current threats, then use that recognition to identify future threats.
• Include parental controls. The online world can be a dangerous place for kids. They don’t always know who they’re talking to and probably aren’t sure what they’re getting into with online gaming and mobile apps. You can monitor what your kids are doing while they spend time online. Your cybersecurity software will alert you if there’s a threat detected while providing overall monitoring for your network from a distance using an app. Make it easier to earn the trust you and your kids want without having to feel like a helicopter parent making sure your kids are safe online.

You can keep your devices, network, and personal information safe by choosing the best cybersecurity software for your family. Make sure it includes these features so you can enjoy peace of mind as you surf the web, play games, watch videos, and more.