VPN vs. Antivirus: Understanding the differences

The internet is undeniably filled with countless potential hazards. Risks such as spies, fraudsters, and hackers are hiding at every digital turn, putting everyone from coffee shop patrons to major corporations at risk.

In the quest to stay protected online, virtual private networks (also known as VPNs) and antivirus programs have become the go-to solutions for people to safeguard themselves and their devices from threats. 

However, what these tools protect you from? How do they differ from each other? Above all, which one should you use to keep yourself safe? We have answered all these questions in this VPN vs. antivirus guide:

What is an antivirus?

The primary objective of antivirus software is to ensure the safety of your devices. These programs will identify and block malware or viruses from infecting your smartphone or computer. A high-quality antivirus is designed to detect different kinds of malware, including adware, trojans, cryptohackers, and keyloggers, etc. 

It accomplishes this by gathering data on global threats and maintaining a virus database (also referred to as virus signature database) on your device. It goes without saying that keeping your antivirus up-to-date is vital for this process to be effective, which is why most programs come with automatic updates turned on.

What are the advantages of an antivirus?

It can be challenging to be sure if a particular link or file is safe. In a sense, antivirus software gives you room for error. If you unintentionally click a harmful link, your antivirus will typically be able to identify and eliminate it.

Here are some additional advantages of using an antivirus:

• Antivirus software runs silently in the background without disrupting the user. They perform virtually all of their tasks behind-the-scenes, making them extremely low-maintenance.

• Most good antivirus programs are available for free, or at least have a free version. As a matter of fact, if you are on a Windows computer, you are already using an antivirus program called Microsoft Defender.

• When you have your doubts about a file, you can always take advantage of sandboxes, which are secure virtual environments. If you open a potentially malicious file in sandbox mode, you can view its contents without risking your device’s security.

What are the disadvantages of an antivirus?

There are not many disadvantages to employing a reliable antivirus program. They silently operate in the background and most of them have little to no impact on the performance of your device. However, opting for a free antivirus can pose some risks, as they may seek to generate revenue from their users through unethical practices. 

For instance, Avast was involved in a controversy surrounding the collection and selling of user data to third parties in January 2020. Due to this, you are better off sticking to premium options when looking for antiviruses. 

What is a VPN?

Similar to an antivirus program, a VPN safeguards users from online threats, but it achieves this by securing their internet traffic with encryption and sending it through a server in a remote location. 

As a result, the user’s IP address, location, and browsing activity are hidden. This means that cybercriminals, internet service providers (ISPs), and other third parties can’t get their hands on the user’s personal data.

A VPN also runs in the background, but is typically more straightforward to set up, pause, or deactivate than conventional antivirus programs that tend to be more persistent and may sometimes be tricky to uninstall.

What are the advantages of a VPN?

While antivirus software is a passive form of protection, VPNs are their exact opposite. You can start enjoying the advantages of a VPN from the moment you turn on the service. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Your data stays safe because top-of-the-line, AES 256-bit encryption is used on your traffic no matter what server you connect to.

• If you are unable to access a particular website or service in your country, you can do so right away by changing your IP address.

• A VPN hides what you do online from ISPs and other entities, allowing you to enjoy better privacy.
• A premium VPN will come with a wide variety of additional features like DNS Leak Protection, Split Tunneling, and Internet Kill Switch.

• Most VPN providers let you protect multiple devices with just one account. For instance, a single PureVPN account covers 10 devices.

What are the disadvantages of a VPN

If you are using a free VPN, you might experience various disadvantages. These free services usually lack the stability and security that premium options like PureVPN offer. Your data may not be fully secure, and your internet speed is very likely to take a hit.

If you want to steer clear of these issues, it is important to choose a good VPN that you can rely on. Free VPNs often claim to provide the same advantages as their paid alternatives, but that could not be further from the truth.

Antivirus vs. VPN – When to use each? 

The table below highlights the distinct protection features offered by VPN services and antivirus programs. It serves as a quick reference for determining when to use each tool depending on specific security needs.

Protection Category	Recommended Tool
Private internet browsing	VPN
Identifying and eliminating malware	Antivirus
Safely connecting to public Wi-Fi networks	VPN
Encrypting your online data	VPN
Circumventing internet censorship	VPN
Alerts for harmful activities on your device	Antivirus
Securing removable devices	Antivirus
Concealing your IP address	VPN
System health checks	Antivirus

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a VPN and an antivirus at the same time? 

While antiviruses and VPNs both contribute to protecting your digital security, they do so through different methods. Is it possible to use a VPN with an antivirus? Certainly! Combining an antivirus with a VPN might be the best approach, as it allows you to simultaneously safeguard your internet connection as well as your device.

Is a VPN better than an antivirus?

Antiviruses excel at protecting you against specific online threats, whereas VPNs effectively counteract others. These tools are intended to complement one another as opposed to rival each other’s capabilities. 

Can a VPN remove viruses?

No. A VPN won’t be able to detect or remove any viruses. For this, you should have a good antivirus installed on your device.

Final word 

VPN or antivirus, which is superior? There is no answer to this question. Antivirus programs and VPNs keep you safe from different types of threats, making both valuable. A VPN will protect you from tracking, man-in-the-middle attacks, Wi-Fi eavesdropping, and more while you browse the internet. Meanwhile, if you unknowingly click a harmful link, your antivirus can intervene and reduce the damage caused to your device.