What Anti-Virus option is best for me?

We know everyone needs an anti-virus program to protect your computing devices from harmful spyware, malware, adware and ransomware. Traditionally, you would buy a yearly subscription or product off the shelf and install it on your PC (s).  Enter Cloud Anti-Virus alternatives which are becoming very popular by comparison. So what are the differences and which is best for you? This is what you will need to know to decide.

Traditional VS Cloud Anti-Virus

Traditionally, the Anti-Virus program you use downloads a vulnerability database via Internet updates direct from the Anti-virus program vendor. For stand alone PC users, this is accomplished based on settings you configure within the application.

The ability for your computer to be as protected as possible from emerging threats is entirely dependent on the vendor vulnerability database being as current as possible. It is vital that this information is downloaded frequently.

In business networks, it is common that a central server console manages these tasks and then distributes the latest signatures internally to connected computers. Unfortunately, we sometimes find this function broken, not maintained, or not working entirely due to internal security policies that block the updates.

In short, you may believe you are protected when in fact you are open and vulnerable because you are not receiving the emerging threat updates. In these cases, risk of infection and business disruption is very high and likely.

How Cloud Anti-Virus Solves the Problem

With the introduction of Cloud Anti-Virus, all the signatures are kept on the Cloud Providers Servers. Since there are not the millions of check comparisons being performed by your local PC in the Cloud as is common in traditional Anti-Virus software,  this often results in faster performance for your computer. You also will have complete confidence that the Cloud Anti-Virus software is always up to date and is being taken care of by the Cloud Provider.

Simply put, you have to do less to keep yourself safe and are more productive using Cloud Anti-Virus and the variety of methods they provide for protecting your computer and system files.

All Anti-Virus have some dependency on Internet

Both types of Anti-Virus has an Internet dependency to receive current updated signature updates. During an outage of the Internet, access to the very latest definitions will not be possible for either Anti-Virus method. You will be protected by the last signature update prior to the outage. Cloud AV is often equivalent to or more secure based on internal network policies during an Internet outage.

Cloud AV Update Benefits

We know that all client subscribers of Cloud Anti-Virus utilize a Central Cloud Providers vulnerability database. If any one user discovers a malicious threat, the new vulnerability signatures are added to the Central Database quickly giving direct updates to the other Cloud Anti-Virus users.

Traditional Anti-Virus detections and distributions are similar but where they differ is that Traditional setups of downloads of updated signatures are based on each individual client setups and policies. This may result in potential delays in the downloading and distribution of updated signature files to local network computers.

It may be argued that delays in receiving updated signatures of threats adds to risk.

Traditional AV is incorporating Cloud Integrations currently

With rising emerging threats 24/7, many suggest that Cloud delivery of Anti-Virus solutions is expected to be the preferred delivery of protection. Many vendors are already incorporating some aspect of cloud delivery into their applications because it improves protections to the end user.

It is popular belief that Cloud AV provides improved protections at less cost to traditional Anti-Virus with reduced risk and lower managed overheads. The protection is often found to be at par or greater than that found in traditional Anti-Virus products.

So which is better?

No one solution is right for every deployment without question. Some circumstances do not allow for Anti-Virus updates from Public Internet sources. In those circumstances, the Cloud option is not a fit using this as an example.

It is about alternatives. For many businesses, they simply do not have the time or people to maintain Anti-virus properly across the computing network with confidence. Often, unprotected devices remotely connect to your business workplace because it is difficult to manage them effectively increasing your risk substansially. The impact of such an infection can be devastating to your business and clients alike.

Cloud Anti-Virus improves your Cyber threat protection easily, cost effectively, while providing businesses of all sizes peace of mind. It is easily deployed and managed via our secure Online Dashboard, mobile apps and network discovery of unprotected devices.  You have a full suite of options at your fingertips without the overhead of managing the solution.

About Aegisys

Aegisys manages both Traditional and Cloud Anti-Virus deployment Solutions for our clients throughout North America.

Our Cloud Anti-Virus protects clients against known virus’s and catches new, hard-to-detect malware, Crypto-locker and Ransomware threats everywhere.

Managed Anti-Virus is a part of Aegisys Cyber Security packages protecting all your devices, in multiple locations, including remote users easily and securely via our Online Dashboard.

Need help deciding? Visit us at https://www.aegisys.com to learn more or via email info@aegisys.com anytime. We remain at your service!