Half a century ago, the first computer antivirus software in history appeared: the Reaper program was created to attack Creeper, the first virus. Since then, as technology has become ubiquitous in our daily lives, digital threats have evolved. Antivirus software developers have been trying to adapt to new challenges. But the complexity of today’s attacks means that users cannot simply delegate their security to one program. They should actively take precautions while using their devices. “A lot of people think that paying for an antivirus will automatically protect them, but that’s not necessarily the case. Investing in them doesn’t mean they’re protected,” said Josh Brunty, a digital forensic expert and professor at Marshall University in West Virginia.
Ángela García Valdés, Cybersecurity Technician at Citizens of the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), insists that we must have an antivirus “on all our devices, even smart TVs.” She does agree that ”this does not mean that we have everything insured. We must continue to use the internet safely and responsibly.” Its recommended measures include using hard-to-guess passwords, two-factor authentication where possible, downloading applications only from official stores (the Play Store and App Store, depending on the operating system), and avoiding untrustworthy web pages.
“An antivirus program is going to tackle problems that aren’t complex attacks. But it’s worth installing, even if it just eliminates a simple virus that can ruin your day,” explains cybersecurity expert Javier Tobal. “How much effort do you need to install an antivirus program? It takes two seconds,” he says.
Some experts, including Josh Brunty, believe that the built-in security systems of devices, such as Windows Defender, are sufficient as long as users take their own security measures. They state that it is not essential to install third-party antivirus software, let alone a paid version: the important thing is to understand the threats. Brunty warns that, by requesting the services of an antivirus, “you might be copying what you already have, something that’s already integrated, as in the case of Defender, at least if activated correctly.”
Antivirus software companies claim that their products “provide additional layers of security beyond those provided by the operating system itself,” explains Josep Albors, Head of Awareness and Research at Spanish computer security firm ESET. “They always give you the option to buy one for a fee. They do that for a reason,” he says. The extended version usually includes the ability to receive technical support in the same language and country at almost any time, as well as the installation of patches or remote management functions. Albors regrets that “these service is rarely appreciated until something happens.”
Albors explains that attackers often abuse system-specific security tools to their advantage. “It can be much easier for an attacker to bypass a system that’s integrated into the operating system itself than a third-party system that specializes in cybersecurity,” he says.
According to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s “Global Antivirus Software Market 2021: COVID-19 Growth and Change” report, Europe is the region with the world’s second largest antivirus software market share after the United States. This market earned more than $3 billion in 2021, and the company is expected to grow to $4.3 billion by 2025. According to a Security.org survey, there are nearly 10 million more U.S. households paying for an antivirus than those with an antivirus. a free version . The company calculates that 8.9% of users with a free version had some malware in 2021, compared to 7.4% of those who had a paid version.
According to the same survey, three in four users in the US continue to use antivirus software, despite the fact that more and more software companies are offering the service. Javier Tobal says Microsoft’s antivirus service “like that of the Macbook shows up very well in independent analysis. The beauty is that you activate it and forget it, and it offers not much less protection than the others.”
Valdés, of INCIBE, notes that antiviruses “offer much more services. They serve as firewalls, contain anti-spam filters and optimize computer performance. Some analyze web addresses and even have parental control tools. Every user has to evaluate what they want and need.”