The way we view the internet has changed and so have online threats. There was a time when all a user had to do was install antivirus software to remain secure online. However, recently, rarely did any malware spread autonomously, which led to a decrease in reliance on this software. The online threats we face today are mostly a manifestation of human greed. We are not saying antivirus is redundant, though. Viruses and malware remain a tool for hackers and malicious individuals to harm our interests. But can the software still protect us? That’s what our VPN vs antivirus analysis wants to conclude.
One thing is clear — due to the dynamic nature of the malware, antivirus is no longer as effective as it was years ago. Malware comes in numerous types like spyware, adware, Trojan, and more. Traditionally, the aforementioned type of software keeps a database consisting of details about millions of different malware details as a shield. Sadly, such software simply can’t keep up with the times. It raises the question, if not antivirus, then what? Is VPN a good alternative? You’ll find out quickly enough.
What is antivirus software?
Antivirus is software that can help detect, prevent, and remove malware from your devices. It operates automatically in the background of your system. All you need to do is install it, and it will run scans regularly to cross-check the files on your device against a database that contains information on the latest malicious code, file, driver, or software. However, today’s malware can change appearances quickly. Thus, it can avoid detection by the older definition-based antivirus software.
Henceforth, this software has started to protect from other computer threats like malicious browser helper objects (BHOs), browser hijackers, ransomware, keyloggers, backdoors, rootkits, Trojan horses, worms, malicious LSP (Layered Service Provider), dialers, fraud tools, adware, and spyware. These programs can evaluate data such as web pages, files, software, and applications, to help detect and remove malware. Most provide real-time protection, which can shield your device from incoming threats.
A 24/7 protection feature scans your systems regularly for known threats and provides automatic updates. Although most threats online have become active rather than passive, a decent antivirus can still help you. However, the way things stand now, antivirus has become nothing more than overpriced bloatware. You can still use it, but most internet-related issues have seen an enhancement in native security, diminishing the need for third-party antivirus.
Antivirus software can use different methods to scan and identify malware. From traditional signature-based detection, it moved on to revolutionary behavioral detection with the aid of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning. However, these methods are not exclusive to antivirus — that’s what makes it less reliable.
A few functions of antivirus:
- It can scan specific files.
- It allows uses to schedule scans to run automatically.
- This software can work in real-time.
- It keeps your device “healthy”.
How does it work?
An antivirus either scans all files as they enter your device and checks them against a database, or it scans files already on your device looking for anything suspicious. Those that match signatures are classified as viruses and deleted. The rest of them pass through the Defense+HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System). Now, only the known codes will be permitted, and the obscure ones, good or bad, will either be deleted or quarantined to the Defense+sandbox. Thus, they can still run, but in a restricted environment.
A good antivirus offers various types of scans but only a few detection methods. Due to numerous internet threats, this isn’t nearly enough. Viruses need different solutions based on their type, which include but aren’t limited to:
- Virus definition/signature-based detection — The traditional way to cross-examine a proven malicious code to the existing database. It is becoming (or has become) obsolete as the number of prevailing viruses rises. In 2020, the number of viruses an antivirus program can recognize was around 12 million, and the number of viruses available amounted to 812 million.
- Heuristic-based detection — An advanced version of signature detection. It can recognize altered viruses or the new iterations of some codes. However, it is also notorious for deleting safe codes.
- Behavior-based detection — A method that monitors programs running on your device to ascertain if they are performing strangely or not. However, it can only detect malware if there is an activity from the suspected code.
- Sandbox detection — In this method, antivirus quarantines suspicious codes into a virtual environment. Then, it monitors the behavior of the suspicious party to determine further action. It is currently a popular choice among corporate antivirus software as it is resource-heavy.
Why use antivirus?
Do you still need an antivirus in 2021? Yes and no. Sorry for sounding ambiguous, but it is true nonetheless. Antivirus is obsolete from the point of view of a tech-savvy user. Although general users prefer to have one installed across devices, it’s a marketing ploy more than a necessity. However, it doesn’t mean that you won’t ever need one. If you are using Windows, we recommend getting one soon. If you are on a Mac, iOS, or even Android, you most likely don’t require one.
Listed below are the reasons why you should use an antivirus or whether you need one on your device:
- Windows — Since the number of computers that run Windows takes up 76% of the total, it is one of the favorite targets for malware. Almost 350000 new malware programs are detected for Windows every day. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this is a platform that requires antivirus.
- Mac — Since Mac uses a Gatekeeper program that guarantees any application entering the OS is from a reputable and certified developer, there are no concerns for malware.
- Chromebook — Chromebooks are downright unpopular hence no one bothers to develop viruses for them. Additionally, they have their built-in security infrastructure that implements Sandbox to deal with a sudden event.
- Android — The infrastructure of Android is way different from the rest of the platforms mentioned as it uses applications. Although such apps can be potentially threatening, installing antivirus won’t make them secure. No matter which threat you face, the antivirus won’t work on Android the way it works for others.
- iOS — It works in a closed environment which makes the device safe. Every app analyzed and guaranteed to be virus-free by the App Store. The system also uses a sandbox to isolate malicious code. Both security measures make iOS the best platform in repealing malware.
Pros and cons of antivirus
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| It helps you protect against all kinds of malware. | Due to the advancement of malware, it is no longer as relevant as it used to be. |
| It can also work as a Firewall for your network/system. | It is too resource-heavy and can easily cause a slowdown of a system. |
| Antivirus can also protect your data. | No antivirus can guarantee complete protection as they can identify only a few specific kinds of malware at a time. |
| Some antivirus provides web security too. | It is costly. |
| In the event of an attack, it can help you to recover your data. | It is reliant on a user’s initiative to keep the whole infrastructure up-to-date. |
| There is no such thing as customer support. Once you’ve installed it, you are on your own. | |
| The detection methods an antivirus software use is very limited in scope. | |
| These pieces of software are also prone to sharing user data. |
VPN: A quick recap
We won’t go in-depth with the topic of VPNs. However, a healthy disclaimer before we begin: VPNs are also not foolproof in what they do. If you want a detailed analysis of a VPN, how it works, and the different pros and cons of this technology, you can kindly refer to our various articles on the site. With this out of the way, let us recap what a VPN is and why we prefer to use it.
VPNs use the latest security protocols to build a tunnel from a VPN client to a VPN server. This tunnel is virtual and protects the traffic from surveillance by anyone outside it. When data travels within this tunnel, it gets encrypted to maintain security. And it is the tunnel that allows a client to access the internet remotely via a server. Summing it up, a VPN ensures your privacy and online safety by providing access to a network that can encrypt your data and allow you to remain anonymous on the web.
How does it help against malware? It doesn’t, at least not directly. Nowadays, malware programs are no longer passive in their spread. Most hackers and the like that develop and deploy malware do so for some gain. Thus, instead of spreading it indiscriminately, they actively approach a target and try to infect his device by various methods such as phishing or adware. Hackers intercept your online traffic and launch attacks accordingly. However, with a VPN in place, there is nothing of value to steal. It further prevents hackers.
Indeed, VPNs can’t provide malware protection, and the best way forward towards online security is to combine the two.
Threats we face online
To compare a VPN against an antivirus, we need to understand how they function. On the surface, both claim to provide security against online threats, but what are these threats? As a user, it is necessary to distinguish and separate the threats one may potentially face online.
Internet is a dangerous place where the most common is the usage of malware (malicious software) to infect and hijack a device. Hackers can then use it for their benefit. Malware is harmful software or adware that can hijack your computer, add viruses, or install spyware. The most common viruses are:
- Trojan — As the name suggests, it is a program that appears ordinary or harmless but as soon as you grant it access, it will start spreading viruses on your system.
- Worms — It is a self-replicating program that is harsh on the device. It will keep on duplicating itself and adding to the workload of a CPU to slow it down.
- Boot sector virus — It solely exists on an external device that spreads every time you or someone else uses that particular device.
A virus can essentially damage your hardware beyond repair, erase vulnerable files, and or slow down your system. Sadly, the online threats aren’t limited to viruses/malware. As long as you connect to the internet, chances are you will encounter some of these:
- DNS attacks — Hackers target your server to force your device off the grid.
- Surveillance and data mining — Your data is a commodity that has many buyers.
- Hacking and identity theft — We have discussed the horrors stealing an identity and the prevention of identity theft previously.
- Phishing/online scams — It is a strategy for scams that are clever in their design to let hackers gain access to your finances or your device.
How antivirus protects you
While many people recognize an antivirus program, few understand how they protect us. Indeed, there are some threats only an antivirus can cope with. Similarly, there are occasions where antivirus is a waste of space. To utilize the potential of this software, it’s best to understand what it protects you from before you realize how it does so.
When a user can understand the threat he may be facing, he can use appropriate tools. Let us take an example of a user that is wary of online surveillance due to the sensitivity of his job. Now, blindly trusting a program that aims to protect against malware will be of no help to such a user.
Remember, antivirus is only effective against malware, and that too in a limited capacity. That’s because they rely on a database to chaff out potentially dubious targets. Still, they scan your device every time you add something new to it. As mentioned, it cross-checks it against the database and works to either allow the addition, removal, or quarantine.
The way a VPN protects you
Antivirus acts as a shield to face threats head-on, while VPN allows you to hide from it. It excels in protection because, to inflict harm, one must find the target. Now, both these technologies aren’t foolproof. Nothing is 100% safe on the internet, anyway. But with the appropriate and clever usage of the tool, a user can enjoy maximum security.
A VPN allows you to remain nearly anonymous on the internet. It can also help you in bypassing potential geo-blocks and censorship. VPNs use tunnels to encapsulate and encrypt data packets. Thus, anyone who intercepts such traffic will be unable to learn anything. It also prevents cookies from tracking you online, which is a huge plus in today’s environment.
But it doesn’t mean that a VPN can block malware for you. Sure, it can stop malware from reaching you, as the hacker is not privy to who you are or what you do online. Chances are, they won’t waste time targeting you. But if you somehow get infected with malware, VPN use will be rendered moot. Because the malware is already in your system, a VPN can no longer help you.
Similarities between a VPN and antivirus
These are two different tools and work on distinct premises and use contrasting technologies. However, they aim to provide a singular goal and works towards it: that is online safety. Thus, instead of putting VPN vs antivirus, let’s see what they have in common:
- They both aim towards online security.
- VPNs prevent access to anyone by encrypting data.
- Antivirus protects against malware that can steal data.
- Both help you maintain healthy online habits.
- VPNs ensure that no one can track you online.
- Antivirus prevents trackers from, well, tracking.
- VPNs provide privacy, and antivirus defends this privacy.
Difference between a VPN and antivirus
With all said and done, we can’t ignore the following fact. At the end of the day, they both ARE INDEED different. And with antivirus embarking on the road to oblivion, is there a need to focus on it? Or is a VPN capable enough to offer complete protection? Before we discuss which technology is best suited for you in our VPN vs antivirus debate, let’s analyze clear differences between a VPN and antivirus.
| VPN | Antivirus |
|---|---|
| It can help you remain anonymous on the internet. | Antivirus protects against malware. It is software that can fight other malicious software. |
| A VPN can encrypt your data to provide security. | Its primary goal is to protect against malware attacks. |
| It deals with online privacy and security. | It can deal with both potential malware that is already on your system and any incoming ones. |
| VPNs can enable users to change their IP addresses. | Provides nothing else than the ability to scan, detect and remove harmful files. |
| It provides network-level security. | It is a device-level security tool. |
| It is preemptive protection against malware because hackers are unable to see through your VPN. Thus, they won’t target you. | It works after the fact. Only after malware tries to gain access to your device will it start working. |
| As long as malware gets access, VPNs are done for. | Regardless of how much malware you defend against, if your traffic is unprotected, you run the risk of cyber-attacks and online surveillance. |
Choosing between a VPN and antivirus
To choose between a VPN and antivirus, let us examine the threats we have covered until now. However, do remember even if we consider antivirus to be obsolete they were never designed to directly compete as antivirus vs VPN. Instead, they can make for a comprehensive defense when used in unison.
| Type of protection | Suitable tool |
|---|---|
| Online privacy | VPN |
| Detection and removal of suspicious programs | Antivirus |
| Preventing data tracking | VPN |
| Spyware, adware, ransomware | Antivirus |
| Access to restricted content | VPN |
| Securing public Wi-Fi | VPN |
| Fighting censorship | VPN |
| Protection against external devices as well as notifications regarding security | Antivirus |
| Negating phishing attempt | VPN |
Which is better?
As you can see, there are avenues where a VPN shines, and some threats can only be health with antivirus. Also, we have already mentioned that it is not a competition between a VPN and antivirus to declare the better one. Many believe you should get the best of both worlds. To clarify, either use a VPN combined with an antivirus product or merely run an antivirus over a VPN in a combo. But we disagree. There is little to no need for a third-party antivirus today. Almost every platform has native capabilities to prevent the advent of malware. Thus, under such circumstances, we can safely endorse using a VPN for most of your online worries.
Sure, you can use them both if you like. Or, perhaps, use VPNs like NordVPN that offer a dedicated anti-malware/adware add-on feature. That’d be a lightweight alternative that achieves nearly identical results.
Why prioritize VPNs over antivirus?
Are you looking for reasons to give priority to VPNs over antivirus in the VPN vs antivirus debate? Here you go: VPNs can encrypt data. No matter which scenario you imagine, with encryption in place, you can effortlessly forgo most problems. Also, remember that most internet technology today comes with built-in security features to prevent the spread of malware.
Unless you are a target for a hacker, there is next to no chance of you falling victim to malware as long as you maintain healthy online habits. Therefore, it becomes impertinent that you prioritize the ability of encryption, especially if you are on a budget. After all, they are both costly to maintain.