When you use the internet, you may come across different types of threats such as viruses, data breaches, and malware. Yes, the online world is just as dangerous as the real one, but there are ways to stay secure.
Keeping this in mind, you might be wondering “does a VPN protect you from viruses? While using a VPN can help reduce the likelihood of getting infected, it is not a foolproof method to keep you safe from viruses.
It is essential to understand the limitations of VPNs and how they differ from antivirus software, which are specifically designed to protect your devices from viruses and other malware. Let us delve deeper into the subject below:
Viruses are malicious software programs that can infect your device and cause harm by disrupting the normal operation of your computer, stealing personal information, or damaging your files. Viruses are typically spread through email attachments, infected software downloads, malicious websites, or infected external storage devices such as USB drives.
When a virus makes its way onto your device, it can perform a variety of malicious activities such as deleting files, stealing personal data, sending spam emails, or even taking control of your device. Furthermore, viruses can also spread to other devices connected to the infected device through a network or file-sharing.
Despite being an effective cybersecurity solution, a Virtual Private Network does not provide direct protection against viruses. However, many users wonder whether a VPN safeguards against viruses due to the observable outcomes. You are less likely to get hacked or infected if you are using the VPN while browsing the internet.
It’s worth noting that a VPN does not actively seek out and eliminate viruses and other types of malicious software from your device. Instead, PureVPN application enhances your security by:
When it comes to safeguarding your devices from hackers, which option is superior? To answer this question, let us begin by examining the main distinctions between a VPN service and antivirus software.
| Antivirus | VPN | |
| What | An antivirus is designed to scan, detect, and remove viruses from a device. | A VPN is designed to disguise your IP address, traffic, and location. |
| How | An antivirus scans a computer and its system files for any malicious software or code, and then proceeds to remove them. | A VPN establishes a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and one of its servers when accessing the internet. |
| Benefits | Real-time protection as it runs in the background. Ensures devices are virus-free and safe to use. | Secure and private browsing experience. Safe access to public Wi-Fi networks and unsecured hotspots. |
It is essential to have both VPN and antivirus software installed on your device to protect yourself and your personal data while browsing the internet. Therefore, there is no definitive answer as to which tool is better, as both are critical components of a robust cybersecurity strategy.
Related Read: VPN vs. Antivirus – Understanding the differences
A VPN is a tool designed to provide online privacy and security. It works by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a remote server, thereby hiding your IP address and making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
It creates a secure and private tunnel between your device and the internet, preventing third parties, such as internet service providers, hackers, and government agencies from intercepting or monitoring your traffic.
However, it is important to note that a VPN is not a substitute for antivirus software. A VPN does not offer virus protection or send alerts if your device gets infected with a virus. If you want to protect your device from viruses, an antivirus software is what you need.
Antivirus software is a program that is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software or malware from a computer or mobile device. It works by scanning files, email attachments, downloads, and other forms of data for viruses, spyware, adware, and trojans, etc.
Once the antivirus software identifies malware, it takes steps to either quarantine or remove the malicious files from the device. Antivirus software also performs routine scans of the device to detect and remove any new forms of malware that may have entered the system.
In addition to virus detection and removal, antivirus software often includes other features such as firewall protection, spam filtering, and phishing protection. By providing a layer of protection against malware, antivirus software helps keep users’ devices and personal information safe from cyber threats.
Here are some signs that you have viruses on your device:
Here are some ways to keep viruses away from your device:
While VPNs and antivirus software both play important roles in keeping your devices safe, they serve different purposes. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and protect your online privacy, while antivirus software detects and removes viruses and malware from your device. While using a VPN can help prevent some malware attacks, it’s still important to have antivirus software installed as an extra layer of protection against viruses and other types of malware.
In today’s digital age, it is crucial to use the appropriate online security tools to ensure your protection as you browse the internet. VPNs and antivirus programs are used for different purposes, and therefore, their benefits cannot be directly compared in terms of your digital safety.
Given the multitude of cyber threats present today, it is vital to keep all your devices up-to-date with reliable antivirus software. In addition, using a VPN to protect your data while browsing the internet, particularly when accessing public Wi-Fi, is also advisable.