Antivirus vs. Internet Security Suites: What’s the Difference and Which one to choose?

When it comes to cybersecurity and internet protection, most of us imagine antivirus and system security suites as possible solutions. But only a few would be aware of the fact that both terms imply different concepts of security in terms of the field they cover and the ways they work. An antivirus is simply a program designed to protect a system or computer from viruses. While on the other hand, internet security is a panoramic security tool that protects from spyware, malware, ransomware, adware, phishing attacks, and spam links that can disrupt the whole network and the systems connected together. It is an all-encompassing antimalware program that protects an internet user from all types of cybersecurity threats. An antivirus falls under this umbrella term and plays only as a single player in the whole security scenario. So, in this blog, we will discuss the topic at a deeper level to understand the concept thoroughly and decide which one to choose for safeguarding digital life.

Written by admin
Published on November 21, 2023

Antivirus

An antivirus is software that safeguards a computer from viruses, trojans, worms, and other malicious programs interfering with the files and local database. It uses real-time scanning and behavioral analysis to find malicious software and eliminate them before they create havoc and spoil the data. An antivirus runs in the background along with other operations in the computer to keep an eye on all the activities going on in different files, like a security guard. There are patched and signature-based algorithms inside the software, which are defined programs. When a system is infiltrated with an undefined or unrecognized program, the antivirus becomes alerted, quarantines the file, and scans it. If the program is proven to be a virus, it gets rid of the program at once

Internet Security Suite

Internet Security Suite is an umbrella term that works like a comprehensive protection package combating all the malware programs lurking on online and digital resources. It protects your networks, server, and all the connected devices from online threats and cybersecurity attacks. This comprehensive system consists of various parts of security tools, including antivirus, firewall, malware protection, parental control, and email safeguards. It monitors all data coming and going from your network and its connected devices. No mail, packet, online link, or transmission can skip its all-seeing eyes. It controls and scans each element to detect malicious programs, malware, or phishing to provide complete internet protection.

Differences between Antivirus and Internet Security

Now let’s talk about the technical differences between an antivirus and an internet security suite. They are as follows:

Antivirus

Firewall: It doesn’t have any firewall system attached to it. So it cannot monitor the data passing through your network to other networks or open web portals.
Cost: it is cheap and also provides a free version that avails basic security features to the system.
Access control: it doesn’t come with access control or parental control to online activities.
Usage: it can provide security for home users only. It cannot protect big businesses from online threats.
Alert users: it alerts users about potentially harmful websites.

Internet Security Suite

Firewall: it comes with a firewall-integrated system that controls and monitors data packets passing through your network to other networks or open web portals.
Cost: It is comparatively more costlier and there are no free versions of it available in the market.
Access control: it gives you complete access control and parental control over online activities.
Usage: it can provide security to both home users and business networks with comprehensive firewall protection.
Alert users: it alerts users of potentially harmful websites as well as blocks unsafe URLs and spam links entering the system.

Similarities

Both tools are antivirus programs that provide a secure digital experience to the user. Both work to protect the hard disk and the USB drive from viruses, worms, and trojans and repair the computer programs if any damages are found. They can remove and block viruses from your computer and warn about harmful websites. Also, they update and enhance their features from time to time automatically to combat new internet threats. Using either of them, you can boost the system’s performance without putting any extra burden on other essential programs operating inside the computer.

Do I Need Both Antivirus And Internet Security?

Having all the ideas about the differences, similarities, and functionalities, now comes the question of which one to choose. Do I need both solutions or can we rely on one to meet our needs? So here comes the answer. It depends solely on the type of system or digital work you have in your daily life. If you are a normal person using a computer, browsing the internet for learning, entertainment, communication, and sharing information, then a robust PC antivirus solution would be more than enough for you.

But suppose you are a professional running an enterprise or working as a full-time IT worker or any other professional who is always online. In that case, you should get an internet security antivirus for complete safety measures. It will keep you alert and safeguard your data and information across different networks while browsing various websites, sharing information with your colleagues, and receiving information packages from outside portals.

Conclusion

Both antivirus and internet security suites are important to provide protection to your devices and digital life. You can keep all your data safe using any of the tools and browse the internet peacefully. 360 antivirus pro can provide reliable top-tech solutions that will keep your system’s integrity intact and enhance the overall performance. It will keep your pc clean of all types of viruses, trojans, worms, and malware. It comes with advanced algorithms capable of efficiently detecting and removing the latest virus threats.

Guard Your PC with Premium Antivirus

Keep your computer secure, smooth, and free of virus infections. Download 360 Antivirus Pro free.

Antivirus vs. Internet Security Suites: What’s the Difference and Which one to choose?

Antivirus

Internet Security Suite