The first thing you should do when you get a new device is to install an antivirus program. A virus can destroy your device as well as the data on your device.
Luckily, installing an antivirus program isn’t a herculean task, and most antivirus programs are inexpensive or even free. However, there are certain pros and cons to antiviruses.

Pros of installing antivirus programs
Protection from viruses
This is the most important function of an antivirus program.

Your personal information is protected
If you want your personal information and data to be protected, then install an antivirus program immediately. This protects your computer when you are browsing and researching, and keeps tabs on any suspicious activity, especially when you are performing tasks that involve transactions and bank account details. Any unauthorized connections will be blocked too.

It’s free!
Some antivirus programs will cost you. However, Avira, Avast, and AVG are some of the best free antivirus programs that you can find on the market. These are just as good as ones that you need to pay for.

Cons of installing antivirus programs
Limited detection of viruses and malware
Sometimes, antivirus programs don’t fully detect viruses and malware. For example, emails that you might receive could be spam or contain malware. These can go undetected if your antivirus doesn’t have the function to scan for a full range of viruses and malware.

No Full protection
Antivirus software don’t really provide full protection. Some need software like a firewall to block hackers that might try to harm your computer. Sometimes, after you’ve accessed any malware or virus, the antivirus programs can’t undo the harmful effects.

Affects speed
When you install an antivirus program, it takes up a lot of your memory and hard disk space. This ends up slowing your computer, making it lag. It can also affect your computer network.

There’s no question as to whether or not you should install an antivirus. You definitely should. The question is when you wonder whether you should pay for an antivirus or get the free versions that are on the Internet. Depending on your requirement, there are plenty of free options that you could go for. If you’re in a professional environment and need to ensure that your data is protected at all costs, it makes sense to invest in a paid antivirus such that you know you have complete protection.