Ana Jovanovic
Updated on: October 22, 2024
Fact-checked by Katarina Glamoslija
Both antiviruses and VPNs are crucial for your online safety. An antivirus protects your device from malicious software, while a VPN encrypts your internet connection for privacy. Each serves a specific purpose, but you should always use both together.
Some antivirus programs, like Norton, even come with a VPN (and vice versa), which offers a convenient way to get the best of both worlds.
Read on to find out more about antiviruses and VPNs, and how they work together to keep you secure. Dive into my comprehensive guide to learn more about the differences and benefits of each tool.
Antivirus vs. VPN: Quick Overview
What Is Antivirus Software?
An antivirus protects your devices from malware, such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. These programs detect, block, and remove malware to keep your device and data secure.
Good antivirus software should have the following components:
- Real-Time Detection: Real-time protection continuously scans downloads and running processes to prevent malware from infecting your device, ensuring that any potential threats are identified and neutralized before they can cause harm.
- Disk Scanning: Disk scanning is essential for discovering and removing threats, especially if your device is already infected with malware. It allows you to identify and remove suspicious files. Good antiviruses like Norton can do quick scans, full scans, and other types.
- Web Protection: Web protection detects and blocks phishing sites and exploit attacks. By monitoring your web activity and preventing access to malicious websites, it reduces the risk of identity theft and other cybercrimes.
- Network Protection: Network protection is vital for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of your online communications. By monitoring network traffic and identifying suspicious activity, it safeguards your device against various cyber attacks, including man-in-the-middle attacks and spoofing, and prevents unauthorized access to your network.
- Firewall: A good firewall is essential for maintaining network security. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, acting as a barrier between your device and potential threats from the internet. Firewalls also filter out malicious traffic to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
The best antivirus software packages often also include extras such as parental controls (which allow parents to monitor and restrict children’s online activities), password managers (tools that securely store and manage complex passwords), data breach monitoring (services that alert users if their personal information appears in known data breaches), identity theft protection (which helps prevent and mitigate the effects of identity fraud), and more.
When to Use Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is crucial in many situations to keep your device and data safe. First, it protects against malware like viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Malware can damage your files and steal your personal information — and antivirus programs detect, block, and remove these threats before they can harm your device.
You also need an antivirus for general internet security. While browsing the web, you’re exposed to many threats, like phishing attempts and exploit attacks. Web shields, a feature in many antivirus programs (like Norton), block access to dangerous websites, keeping you safe online.
If you download files from the internet, antivirus software is essential because it checks downloads and connections, preventing malware from getting into your system during activities such as torrenting.
What Antivirus Software Can’t Do
Antivirus software, however, isn’t the right tool in every scenario. For example, it may not always catch social engineering attacks like phishing scams, where attackers trick you into giving away personal information through fake emails or websites. These attacks rely on human error, which antivirus software can’t prevent. That said, the best antiviruses will protect you from ever landing on fake web pages or receiving phishing text messages and emails that can deceive you into divulging sensitive information.
Antivirus programs also can’t fully protect against zero-day exploits, which are vulnerabilities that are unknown to software vendors and therefore remain unpatched. Cybercriminals can exploit these before they’re fixed, bypassing your antivirus’s defenses.
Finally, antivirus programs can’t keep your online activities private. They won’t encrypt your data or hide your IP address. For this, you need additional tools like a VPN.
What Is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a piece of software that protects your online data and privacy. Unlike antivirus software, which fights malware, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone who tries to intercept it. The best VPNs (like ExpressVPN) use 256-bit AES encryption — the same standard used by banks and governments — to ensure your data remains secure.
When you connect to a VPN server, your data is routed through an encrypted tunnel. This process prevents hackers and your internet service provider (ISP) from spying on your online activities, whether you’re browsing, streaming, torrenting, or gaming. For instance, if you visit a website, a hacker or your ISP won’t see the actual site you’re accessing. Instead, they’ll see random, unreadable data.
VPNs also enhance your online privacy by masking your IP address. When you connect to a VPN server, it replaces your real IP address with a virtual one from the server’s location. This means websites will only see the VPN server’s IP address and not your actual IP address. For example, if you’re in the US and connect to a VPN server in the UK, you’ll appear to be browsing from the UK.
When to Use a VPN
A VPN is essential for many online activities. By encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address, a VPN protects your data from hackers and snoopers, especially when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks.
Streaming is another common use case for a VPN. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can access content that may be restricted or unavailable in your region.
Gamers can also benefit from using a VPN. It can help reduce lag and improve connection stability by connecting to servers closer to the game servers. Additionally, it protects against DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, which can disrupt gaming sessions and cause significant downtime.
For those who download files from the internet, such as through torrenting, a VPN is crucial. It hides your IP address and encrypts your data, protecting you and keeping your downloading activities private. This ensures that your ISP and other entities can’t monitor your torrenting activities.
What a VPN Can’t Do
But a VPN can’t protect you from everything. For instance, it doesn’t prevent phishing attacks. If you unknowingly click on a malicious link or enter your information on a fake website, a VPN can’t stop you from being scammed.
It also won’t stop ad tracking. Many websites and advertisers track your online activities through cookies and other means. While a VPN can hide your IP address, it can’t stop websites from tracking you through other methods.
Finally, it can’t protect you from malware. You’ll still need antivirus software to detect and remove malicious software from your device. It’s important to use both tools together for comprehensive protection.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Are There Any Antiviruses With VPNs Included?
Now that we’ve established why you need both an antivirus and a VPN, you may be wondering — is there a way to simplify things and get both in the same product? The answer is: yes, many top antivirus brands include their own VPNs, either as part of the package or for an extra cost.
These bundled VPNs are good for basic online activities like browsing and secure internet usage. However, they often don’t support streaming or torrenting, can be slower than standalone VPNs, and frequently limit monthly data usage. Despite these limits, antivirus VPNs still offer good value for users needing a secure VPN along with strong antivirus protection.
One example is Norton’s Secure VPN, which offers unlimited data, fast speeds, compatibility with streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, and a no-logs policy to keep your online activities private. Though it scored quite well in my speed tests, it wasn’t as fast as a standalone VPN.
Another way to go about it is to purchase a VPN with a built-in antivirus tool, such as NordVPN. This way, the VPN features you get will be equally comprehensive and effective as those of standalone VPNs — but the antivirus part of the suite will usually be pretty limited.
For users who want the best of both worlds, using a top standalone VPN alongside a strong antivirus program is the best way to ensure maximum protection and performance. This combination leverages the strengths of both tools to keep your data secure and your online activities private.
How to Choose the Right Antivirus for You
If you’re short on time, you can’t go wrong with any of our top antivirus programs. We employ a strict, tried-and-true methodology when testing and selecting both antiviruses and VPNs.
But if you’re willing to dedicate some time to finding the best product for your needs, here are the most important features to look out for when making your selection:
- Device Compatibility: Make sure the antivirus software is compatible with your devices, whether you use Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. This guarantees optimal performance and full protection for your devices. Compatibility issues can lead to gaps in security and ineffective protection, leaving your device vulnerable to threats.
- Malware Detection Rates: Opt for an antivirus that has perfect malware detection rates for various types of malware (like Norton), including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and phishing attempts.
- System Performance Impact: Look for antivirus software that runs efficiently without significantly slowing down your system. Lightweight, cloud-based scanners like Bitdefender’s are ideal, especially for older or less powerful devices.
- Regular Updates: An effective antivirus should receive frequent updates to its virus definitions and features, ensuring it can protect against the latest threats. An antivirus that also has an updater tool to help you keep all your other apps and programs up-to-date as well gets bonus points from us.
- Customer Support: Sometimes you need to inform your antivirus provider of new threats they’re not aware of. You may also need help from a live chat or phone agent at one point or another — so make sure your antivirus of choice has stellar customer service (like Norton).
How to Choose the Right VPN for You
Again, you can pick one of the best VPNs we’ve carefully selected for you if you’re strapped for time. But if you want to dig deeper and pick one on your own, here are the most important features to look out for:
- Speed and Performance: There’s no point in using a VPN if it tanks your internet speeds. The best VPNs provide high-speed connections and don’t significantly slow down your internet. Fast performance is crucial for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive activities.
- Encryption Strength: Find a VPN with strong encryption protocols like AES-256 to secure your data. This ensures that your online activities remain private and protected from hackers.
- No-Logs Policy: Choose a VPN with a no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t store any information about your online activities. This is crucial for maintaining your privacy and ensuring your data is never available to third parties or government requests. For instance, ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and proven that the VPN stores no customer data. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
- Server Locations: Consider the number and distribution of the VPN’s servers. A wide range of server locations allows you to access content from different regions and ensures better connectivity and speed. More servers reduce the risk of congestion and maintain good performance. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
- Simultaneous Connections: Check how many devices you can connect simultaneously with one VPN account. This is important for securing multiple devices like phones, tablets, and computers. More connections means you can protect your whole household with a single subscription.
- Split-Tunneling: Look for a VPN that offers split-tunneling, allowing you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN. This provides flexibility and can improve performance for specific tasks. It’s useful for accessing local services while keeping other traffic secure.
- Kill Switch: Ensure the VPN includes a kill switch feature, which automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data from being exposed in the event of a connection failure.
To sum up, think of antivirus software and VPNs as your ultimate online security team: by employing both, you’ll be protected from malware, hackers, and data breaches, and you’ll enjoy a safer, more private online experience.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an antivirus?
Yes, you do. Even if you practice safe browsing habits, threats can still find their way onto your device through email attachments, malicious websites, or software vulnerabilities. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded 880,418 reports of financial loss from internet scams, with damages nearly exceeding $12.5 billion. That’s roughly $14,200 per person, on average — and this was just in the US. It’s evident from these stats that using good antivirus software is more important than ever.
Does using a VPN protect you from viruses?
No, a VPN doesn’t protect your devices from viruses. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, ensuring your online privacy and security, but it doesn’t scan for or eliminate malware.
To protect your device from viruses and other malware, you need dedicated antivirus software. While a VPN secures your data in transit, an antivirus safeguards your device from harmful software that could compromise your system and personal information.
Can I use a different antivirus and VPN?
Yes, you can use a different antivirus and VPN. Though many antiviruses come bundled with their own VPN, many users still choose to pair their preferred antivirus with a standalone VPN to maximize their online security and privacy.
Using different products lets you select the best tools available for each specific purpose. This combination can enhance your overall protection by leveraging the strengths of both antivirus and VPN technologies from different providers.
Do I need an antivirus if I use NordVPN?
You don’t necessarily need a separate antivirus app if you already use NordVPN. NordVPN includes a tool called Threat Protection, which is pretty good at blocking malware. My colleagues tested it and found it blocked 95% of the malware they had hidden on their test devices. Threat Detection also blocks malicious sites and ads in real-time, which is great to see.
However, what NordVPN’s Threat Detection can’t do is run system scans. It also lacks a firewall and malware scanning for Android. For these reasons, you might want to consider a standalone antivirus product. Standalone antiviruses (like Norton, for example) can do much more than NordVPN’s Threat Protection to protect you from malware.
Is VPN enough protection?
No, a VPN isn’t enough protection on its own. While a VPN encrypts your internet connection and protects your privacy, it doesn’t defend against malware, viruses, or phishing attacks.
For complete security, you should use a VPN and antivirus software to protect yourself and your devices. This combination covers most aspects of cybersecurity, ensuring your device and data are protected from a wide range of threats.
Is it OK to leave my VPN on all the time?
Not only is it OK, but you should stay connected to your VPN’s servers at all times. Keeping your VPN on ensures your internet connection is always encrypted and your IP address remains hidden, providing continuous protection and privacy. However, you might not want all of your internet traffic to go through your VPN’s servers. This is where split-tunneling comes in.
Split-tunneling allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for accessing local services and maintaining higher speeds for certain applications (like torrenting or downloading files) while still protecting your sensitive data through the VPN.
