Here’s What to Look for in a Home Internet Security Solution

By Sarala Vanga On Apr 27, 2020

These days, your home network faces more threats than ever. Russian hackers, ransomware, phishing scams, COVID-19 malware — the threats never seem to end, and they’re constantly evolving. That’s why a mere antivirus program simply won’t cut it when it comes to keeping your network, devices, and personal information safe. Below, in this article, you can find the details about look for in a home internet security solution.

You need a comprehensive security solution that includes anti-malware and ransomware protection, email spam filters, parental controls, and more. But there are so many different products on the market now, and at so many different price points. Some are even free. With so many options, how do you choose? Is a paid product worth the expense when you could go with a free antivirus program? Here’s what to look for when you’re shopping around.

Cloud Backup

A good home network security solution will constantly update its threat definitions in order to catch the latest malware and viruses as they emerge, but even the best software can’t catch everything. Threats continue to evolve, and even with a great, comprehensive security solution in your arsenal, it only takes one really good phishing email on a bad day to bring it all crashing down.

That’s why automatic cloud backup of your photos, videos, files, and data is so important. In the event that your software can’t eliminate a threat or remove malware and viruses from an infected device, your important files and precious photos will still be available.

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Firewall Protection

Firewalls monitor the digital traffic moving to and from your home network. Most PCs and Macs come with a firewall already installed, but it might have serious flaws, and its protection won’t extend to other devices, like smartphones, tablets, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Increasingly, malicious ads and websites are doing what’s known as drive-by downloads, in which they attempt to install malicious software in the background, without the user knowing. A good firewall can put a stop to that activity and can thwart hackers in their attempts to hijack your connected devices for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

Light System Load

System load refers to how much a software product slows down your machine. For a security solution, you want something with a light system load, both while it’s running an active scan and while it’s running in the background to protect your device. You’ll need to have this program running constantly, so you don’t want it interfering with your online activities.

Real-Time Scanning

Hackers, scammers, and other cybercriminals are constantly improving their malicious software, so you need a software solution that’s always scanning your system in real-time to eliminate threats. Some solutions only scan when they’re told too, and that can let in malicious software and allow it to wreak havoc on your system between scans. Real-time scanning will quickly stop malware before it has time to compromise your system.

Substantial Detection Rate

A software solution’s detection rate will let you know how effective a solution is at stopping malware and viruses. You should look for a program with a detection rate of at least 95 per cent. However, be wary that it doesn’t also have a high rate of false positives, which can flag innocent files as dangerous.

Protection Across Multiple Platforms and Devices

If like most modern households, yours is a multi-device, multi-platform one, you’ll need a solution that can protect multiple devices across your network, and one that works across platforms. Many security solutions offer family products that cover multiple devices across multiple operating systems, so all your Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS devices will be protected.

Parental Controls

If you have kids, you need to know what they’re seeing and doing online. Parental controls will help you steer kids away from dangerous or inappropriate sites. They’re a must for families.

Identity Security

Your personal identity data is valuable, and with regular data breaches becoming a fact of life these days, you need a software solution with ID protection that can monitor the dark web to alert you if your personal data is being sold or circulated by cyber criminals. An ID security solution like Trend Micro ID Security will monitor the dark web 24/7 for personal info like your driver’s license number, online account credentials, social security number, passport information, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers.

Phishing Protection

Phishing attacks are one of the biggest threats you could face online, because so many of them use social engineering tactics to play on your emotions and manipulate you into compromising yourself. While you should definitely know how to recognize and avoid phishing scams, it’s best to filter them out of your email altogether. Make sure that any anti-malware solution you employ has a robust spam filter and other phishing protection features.

When it comes to choosing a home network security solution, some features just aren’t optional. Whatever program you choose, make sure it has the robust capability needed to keep your family safe. Otherwise, you could find yourself a victim of cybercrime, scrambling to put your life back together.

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