Windows (App V5)
There are many feathers in the cap of the TotalAV service. Antivirus detection is one of many layers of protection offered. In this article, we examine the ultimate set up for staying protected from viruses and modern threats.
For the purpose of this article, think of your computer like a castle. In the centre of any castle is the keep full of treasures, or personal files, then each wall going out from the keep is a layer of protection from invasion. We’re going to begin looking at the knights of the castle, or in TotalAV terms, Safe Site Web Shield.
Web Shield is a web browser extension, it acts as a personal bodyguard as you surf the wilds of the uncharted internet. Should you try and navigate to a webpage that hosts malware or tries to steal personal details, web shield will step in like a gallant knight and not only warn you before clicking on a dangerous website, but also block access if a malicious link is clicked.
As shown in the screenshot below, Safe Site’s Web Shield shows red crosses next to search results that are deemed to be unsafe, these could be sites that are known to host malware, unwanted software, contain phishing attempts or use social engineering to trick users into actions they wouldn’t normally take.
Any links that have the Web Shield red cross next to them, when clicked, display a warning page about compromised safety also. This acts as the first layer of security on the web, preventing viruses getting anywhere near your computer in the first instance.
Install of Safe Site begins by visiting the link for your browser below:
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TotalAV Safe Site in the Chrome Web Store |
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TotalAV / Safe Site download for Firefox |
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TotalAV Safe Site in the Microsoft Store |
Having visited the extension store, and clicked to add/install the Safe Site extension, a TotalAV icon will appear up in the top right of the browser window, clicking this may require a login to your TotalAV account, however, login should occur automatically if the desktop Antivirus app is installed on your computer.
Once installed and logged in, Web Shield is actively acting as your personal bodyguard as you surf the internet.
The next layer of security is Real-Time Protection, or the gatekeeper in castle terms. It stands at the gate verifying anything entering your computer is safe to do so. Real-Time Protection is always running in the background, constantly checking any incoming files for viruses or malicious behavior.
To enable Real-Time Protection, on the TotalAV sidebar, click the shield, then click Protection Status.
If your app displays Protection Disabled, as shown above, click the Enable Protection Button. If a message shows stating You’re protected, Real-Time Protection is already active.
Each time you download or receive a file from the internet, rest assured that Real-Time Protection will check it for viruses, and block it if the file contains a threat.
As well as being the gatekeeper, Real-Time Protection moonlights as a bouncer also. It constantly takes note of any changes to programs and files already on your computer, and if they start acting in an unexpected way, or a way considered to be malicious, Real-Time Protection blocks them from running.
Anything discovered by Real-Time Protection will be immediately blocked, and the infected files will be automatically moved to the Quarantine folder. This folder is an isolated area where TotalAV puts virus-infected files so that they are isolated, not able to spread, run or inflict any damage.
The best course of action is to leave files in Quarantine indefinitely. It is unlikely any files moved to Quarantine will be taking up barely any room on your hard disk, nor is it all possible for them to inflict any damage whatsoever once they are in the Quarantine folder. We don’t advise deleting files in Quarantine permanently, however, the option is there if required.
Quarantine is like the castle dungeon, where captured invaders are imprisoned in isolation from everything and everyone else.
If you are unsure about deleting files in Quarantine, please consult the TotalAV tech support team or an IT professional before doing so.
The next layer of protection is Scheduled Antivirus Scans. This is the guard that periodically walks around the perimeter of the castle, checking for invaders. If any viruses have slipped the net and made way onto your computer, the scheduled virus scans will detect them, stop them and move them to quarantine, therefore disabling the virus.
By default, the TotalAV app is scheduled to run a virus scan weekly, from the time the first TotalAV scan ran on your computer. However, this can be changed by clicking the cog/gear in the sidebar of the app and selecting Antivirus Scans in the Settings menu.
Scans can be scheduled to either occur weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Scan Behaviour enables settings to either do a virus scan over your installed programs and personal file folders or to do a full, much more long-winded, system scan.
That covers the most important layers of security the average computer user should be using, to re-cap:
- Safe Site Web Shield is your computer’s bodyguard as you use the internet
- Real-Time Protection is your computer’s gatekeeper and bouncer
- Scheduled Antivirus scans are your computer’s perimeter and security guard
- Quarantine is your computer’s dungeon where viruses are imprisoned and isolated
TotalAV web shield stops you from getting anywhere online where viruses might be lurking, real-time protection stops viruses incoming from getting on your computer, and regular virus scans catch any viruses that may have slipped the net.
But that’s not all. Savvy users adopt a few other tools to keep safe, all of which can be set up and configured through the TotalAV app…
VPN is an add-on service that adds a smokescreen of security and privacy to everyday use of the internet. VPN, put basically, encrypts all data moving from a computer to the internet. This means that any cybercriminal, internet service provider or government agency cannot see the data in transit.
One of the key security benefits of VPN includes staying safe on public Wi-Fi. The problem with free to access Wi-Fi hotspots is it is almost impossible to know if security measures have been put in place to ensure internet usage on that Wi-Fi is not being monitored, and worse, intercepted. It is relatively easy, with the right know-how, to track exactly what other users of Wi-Fi are doing – not just the web history, but even passwords they type in, or credit card information. With VPN, all web traffic is encrypted, meaning if a cybercriminal tried to intercept a user’s web traffic, it would appear as gibberish!
To purchase VPN click here, 10 minutes or so after purchasing the TotalAV app will recognize the upgrade and unlock access VPN. Connecting to VPN is no effort at all. On the desktop apps, simply click the fingerprint in the TotalAVsidebar, click VPN then choose a location and click connect. Within a matter of seconds, a VPN connection will be established.
Ad Block Pro is another advanced layer of protection in the TotalAV arsenal. It is an add-on service that works within the TotalAV Safe Site browser extension. It is mind-blowing how many adverts show up on websites these days and how much impact they have on the experience of interacting with webpages – Ad Block Pro cleverly blocks adverts, ad banners and pop-ups. Not only does this make websites load up quicker, but also makes websites appear a lot cleaner allowing you to focus on the content you came to the website for.
Adverts on the web are served by ad networks, these networks tend to use data stored on a users computer to ascertain exactly what adverts to target the user with. There are obvious privacy concerns with this, but also vulnerable users have been targeted with unscrupulous ads that lead to them getting viruses and malware. Here at TotalAV we’re here to protect you and your computer against tactics like this, and are proud to offer Ad Block Pro in order to do so.
To purchase Ad Block Pro click here, 10 minutes or so after purchase the TotalAV desktop app will recognise the upgrade, click on the fingerprint in the TotalAV sidebar, then on Ad Block Pro in the menu, then finally clicking Activate Now will open a web browser in order to install the TotalAV browser extension.
Clicking Install Now will direct to your browser’s extension store and show the TotalAV Safe Site extension install page, click Add/Install, the extension will then be added to your browser and be accessible by clicking the TotalAV icon in the top right of the browser window.
The first time the TotalAV extension is clicked on may require login with your TotalAV email address and password. In most cases though, if you are installing the extension on a computer already running the TotalAV app, auto-login into the extension should occur.
To enable Ad Block Pro, click the on/off toggle on the Ad Block Pro tile. From that moment on, the web will be much more enjoyable, much quicker and somewhat safer.
To recap on these advanced protection layers:
- VPN is like an invisibility cloak which stops others spying as you use the web
- Ad Block Pro is like a bodyguards assistant, stopping bad ads from being seen as you surf the web
The single most important layer, beyond all mentioned, is learning when and how to spot the ways in which malware and viruses are disguised, especially online. Often the general rule is; The more aggressively a download advertises itself as free online, and if that download costs money elsewhere, it probably contains malware, spyware or adware.
Windows ( app V4)
There are many feathers in the cap of the TotalAV service. Antivirus detection is one of many layers of protection offered. In this article, we examine the ultimate set up for staying protected from viruses and modern threats.
For the purpose of this article, think of your computer like a castle. In the centre of any castle is the keep full of treasures, or personal files, then each wall going out from the keep is a layer of protection from invasion. We’re going to begin looking at the knights of the castle, or in TotalAV terms, Safe Site Web Shield.
Web Shield is a web browser extension, it acts as a personal bodyguard as you surf the wilds of the uncharted internet. Should you try and navigate to a webpage that hosts malware or tries to steal personal details, Web Shield will step in like a gallant knight and not only warn you before clicking on a dangerous website, but also block access if a malicious link is clicked.
As shown in the screenshot below, Safe Site’s Web Shield shows red crosses next to search results that are deemed to be unsafe, these could be sites that are known to host malware, unwanted software, contain phishing attempts or use social engineering to trick users into actions they wouldn’t normally take.
Any links that have the Web Shield red cross next to them, when clicked, display a warning page about compromised safety also. This acts as the first layer of security on the web, preventing viruses from getting anywhere near your computer in the first instance.
Install of Safe Site begins by visiting the link for your browser below:
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Firefox |
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Having visited the extension store, and clicked to add/install the Safe Site extension, a TotalAV icon will appear up in the top right of the browser window, clicking this may require login to your TotalAV account, however, login should occur automatically if the desktop Antivirus app is installed on your computer.
Once installed and logged in, Web Shield is actively acting as your personal bodyguard as you surf the internet.
The next layer of security is Real-Time Protection, or the gatekeeper in castle terms. It stands at the gate verifying anything entering your computer is safe to do so. Real-Time Protection is always running in the background, constantly checking any incoming files for viruses or malicious behaviour.
To enable Real-Time Protection, on the TotalAV app menu, click Antivirus, then in the sub-menu, click Real-Time Protection.
Ensure that the toggle is set to display Protection Enabled. Each time you download or receive a file from the internet, rest assured that Real-Time Protection will check it for viruses, and block it if the file contains a threat.
As well as being the gatekeeper, Real-Time Protection moonlights as a bouncer also. It constantly takes note of any changes to programs and files already on your computer, and if they start acting in an unexpected way, or a way considered to be malicious, Real-Time Protection blocks them from running.
Anything discovered by Real-Time Protection will be immediately blocked, and the infected files will be automatically moved to the Quarantine folder. This folder is an isolated area where TotalAV puts virus-infected files so that they are isolated, not able to spread, run or inflict any damage.
The best course of action is to leave files in Quarantine indefinitely. It is unlikely any files moved to Quarantine will be taking up barely any room on your hard disk, nor is it all possible for them to inflict any damage whatsoever once they are in Quarantine. We don’t advise deleting files in Quarantine permanently, however, the option is there if required.
Quarantine is like the castle dungeon, where captured invaders are imprisoned in isolation from everything and everyone else.
If you are unsure about deleting files in Quarantine, please consult the TotalAV tech support team or an IT professional before doing so.
The next layer of protection is Scheduled Antivirus Scans. This is the guard that periodically walks around the perimeter of the castle, checking for invaders. If any viruses have slipped the net, and made way onto your computer, the scheduled virus scans will detect them, stop them and move them to quarantine, therefore disabling the virus.
By default, the TotalAV app is scheduled to run a virus scan weekly, from the time the first TotalAV scan ran on your computer. However, this can be changed by clicking the cog/gear icon in the top right of the app and scrolling to the settings section titled Manage Antivirus Scans.
Scans can be scheduled to either occur weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Scan Behaviour enables settings to either do a virus scan over your installed programs and personal file folders or to do a full, much more long-winded, system scan.
That covers the most important layers of security the average computer user should be using, to re-cap:
- Safe Site Web Shield is your computer’s bodyguard as you use the internet
- Real-Time Protection is your computer’s gatekeeper and bouncer
- Scheduled Antivirus scans are your computer’s perimeter and security guard
- Quarantine is your computer’s dungeon where viruses are imprisoned and isolated
TotalAV Web Shield stops you from getting anywhere online where viruses might be lurking, real-time protection stops viruses incoming from getting on your computer, and regular virus scans catch any viruses that may have slipped the net.
But that’s not all. Savvy users adopt a few other tools to keep safe, all of which can be set up and configured through the TotalAV app…
Safe Browsing (VPN) is an add-on service that adds a smokescreen of security and privacy to everyday use of the internet. VPN, put basically, encrypts all data moving from a computer to the internet. This means that any cybercriminal, internet service provider or government agency cannot see the data in transit.
One of the key security benefits of VPN includes staying safe on public Wi-Fi. The problem with free to access Wi-Fi hotspots is it is almost impossible to know if security measures have been put in place to ensure internet usage on that Wi-Fi is not being monitored, and worse, intercepted. It is relatively easy, with the right know-how, to track exactly what other users of Wi-Fi are doing – not just the web history, but even passwords they type in, or credit card information. With VPN, all web traffic is encrypted, meaning if a cybercriminal tried to intercept a users web traffic, it would appear as gibberish!
To purchase Safe Browsing (VPN) click here, 10 minutes or so after purchasing the TotalAV app will recognise the upgrade and unlock access VPN. Connecting to VPN is no effort at all. On the desktop apps, simply click Safe Browsing in the sidebar, choose a location and click connect. Within a matter of seconds, a VPN connection will be established.
Ad Block Pro is another advanced layer of protection in the TotalAV arsenal. It is an add-on service that works within the TotalAV Safe Site browser extension. It is mind-blowing how many adverts show up on websites these days and how much impact they have on the experience of interacting with webpages – Ad Block Pro cleverly blocks adverts, ad banners and pop-ups. Not only does this make websites load up quicker, but also makes websites appear a lot cleaner allowing you to focus on the content you came to the website for.
Adverts on the web are served by ad networks, these networks tend to use data stored on a users computer to ascertain exactly what adverts to target the user with. There are obvious privacy concerns with this, but also vulnerable users have been targeted with unscrupulous ads that lead to them getting viruses and malware. Here at TotalAV we’re here to protect you and your computer against tactics like this, and are proud to offer Ad Block Pro in order to do so.
To purchase Ad Block Pro click here, 10 minutes or so after purchase the TotalAV desktop app will recognise the upgrade, clicking on Ad Block Pro in the sidebar, then clicking Activate Now will open a web browser in order to install the TotalAV browser extension.
Clicking Install Now will direct to your browser’s extension store and show the TotalAV Safe Site extension install page, click Add/Install, the extension will then be added to your browser and be accessible by clicking the TotalAV icon in the top right of the browser window.
The first time the TotalAV extension is clicked on may require login with your TotalAV email address and password. In most cases though, if you are installing the extension on a computer already running the TotalAV app, auto-login into the extension should occur.
To enable Ad Block Pro, click the on/off toggle on the Ad Block Pro tile. From that moment on, the web will be much more enjoyable, much quicker and somewhat safer.
The final layer of security advanced users utilise is the Firewall. The firewall prevents incoming unsolicited connections from accessing the local network. There are various ports open on a network that various applications and services connect to the internet through, a firewall effectively manages these ports ensuring only allowed services to connect through them. Back to our castle analogy, this is kind of like a guard being present at all doorways and entries to the castle, even the sewer system!
Upon installing TotalAV the firewall will be enabled and actively keeping your computer and network safe from unsolicited connections.
To recap on these advanced protection layers:
- VPN is like an invisibility cloak which stops others spying as you use the web
- Ad Block Pro is like a bodyguards assistant, stopping bad ads from being seen as you surf the web
- The Firewall is like a whole host of guards protecting all entry points to your computer from unsolicited entry
The single most important layer, beyond all mentioned, is learning when and how to spot the ways in which malware and viruses are disguised, especially online. Often the general rule is; The more aggressively a download advertises itself as free online, and if that download costs money elsewhere, it probably contains malware, spyware or adware.