Antivirus Software...Educate Yourself

Today’s computer users are for the most part unaware that their computers come prepackaged with Antivirus Software that they can use to keep their computers safe from things like malware, spyware and even those nasty little viruses that seem to find their way onto a computer no matter what you do.  Even those that are aware such software exists on their machines rarely know how to utilize them.  I have often wondered, especially since most computers come with a limited trial version of a paid program, whether or not the companies that publish these programs want their users to have any success when using their applications.

All to often Antivirus Software is, for the average user, difficult to operate and is often left un-updated due to a general lack of education and knowledge about the product.  In order to keep these programs functional they need to be updated on a regular basis so that they can detect and remove threats as well as keep your computers safe from things like zero day attacks and whatnot.  Sadly a user aware that they do have such applications at hand find that updating the program is far to complex and will therefore allow the program to remain out of date, rendering the program useless.

This causes users to encounter and have multiple problems with viruses and the ever annoying spyware that’s always waiting to infect an unsuspecting, and unprotected computer.  In extreme cases some of these people will become victims of data file theft or in a worst case scenario, identity theft.  It is for these reasons that one can only hope that antivirus programs become easier to use at some point in time.

As a person who fancies himself tech savvy I’d like to see antivirus software become much more user friendly if for no other reason that to give me a break from the monotony of ridding family members computers of infections.  This has consumed more than just a few weekends of my time and I’d like to see something get published that has an easy to navigate user interface and updates just as easily.  I’d also like to see publishers begin polling average people to determine what their true level of computer knowledge is.  It is my opinion that this would allow them to see very clearly just how difficult it is to use some of these antivirus programs.

There is another side of me that believes partial blame must lie with those who buy computers.  You don’t buy a car before you know how to drive or even before you have plans to learn to drive.  I’d like to see this same rule applied to the world of computers, especially since they have now become common place in the home.  It is very rare that I see anyone, even my own family members ask for help in learning how to operate a program, or with desire to learn more about their machines and how to keep them safe.

In actuality I’m surprised by the languid approach both sides have taken as threats to computers and private information is so high these days that there is rarely a day when you don’t read about some type of new threat or about someone who had their files and/or their identity stolen.  Let’s face it if you’re operating a computer without being at least semi-proficient with an antivirus application you’re going to be in trouble.  Even if your identity is never stolen you will likely still encounter all the problems caused by spyware and malware.  In most cases your computers processing power and memory will be eaten up by these nuisances and causes you many a headache.

If you’re a computer novice or find that you’re just not to comfortable around things like antivirus programs then take the time to educate yourself so that you can protect not just your machine but your data and files as well.  If you’re on the other side of the fence and are a publisher of antivirus software find ways to keep the high level of functionality you currently have all the while keeping in mind that not everyone who uses your products are going to know what they’re doing.  Easy to use and comprehensive security measures are the way to go.