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Antivirus Software for Real Estate Appraisers

· 3 min read
Chase Pursley
Chase Pursley
Founder of Appraisal Inbox

As a real estate appraiser, you must ensure your systems are protected against all sorts of cyber threats. To safeguard your business and client information, implementing robust antivirus software is a crucial step in defending against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks, providing peace of mind and ensuring the continuity of your appraisal firm.

Why Antivirus Software is Essential for Appraisers​

Cybercriminals like to target small businesses like appraisal practices, assuming they have weaker defenses (which is unfortunately, very often true). Implementing robust antivirus software can help protect against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks, ensuring that your client data and business operations remain secure.

Built-in Windows Security: Is It Enough?​

Windows comes with built-in security features, including Windows Defender, which provides real-time protection against malware and viruses. While Windows Defender has received high grades for protection and usability, it may not be enough to fully protect your business. Some of its limitations include poor phishing detection, limited ransomware protection, and lack of an integrated dashboard for managing multiple devices. Therefore, relying solely on built-in Windows security might not provide the comprehensive protection your appraisal business needs.

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Top Antivirus Solutions For Appraisers​

For real estate appraisers, selecting an antivirus solution that offers comprehensive protection and ease of use is crucial. Here are some top recommendations:

1. Norton Small Business​

  • Pros: Robust protection, real-time threat detection, firewall, and cloud backup
  • Cons: Can be resource-intensive, higher cost for larger teams
  • Price: Starting at $59.99/year for 6 devices

2. Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security​

  • Pros: Excellent malware detection, easy management, advanced threat defense, and customizable dashboard, supports macOS.
  • Cons: Can be complex for small teams, higher cost for larger deployments
  • Price: Starting at $18.99/year for 3 members

3. Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus​

  • Pros: Comprehensive protection, firewall, VPN, USB protection, and even supports macOS.
  • Cons: Can be resource-intensive, higher cost for premium features
  • Price: Starting at $148.36/year for 5 devices

4. Malwarebytes​

  • Pros: Robust malware removal and protection, real-time threat detection, and easy management
  • Cons: Limited features compared to full antivirus suites, additional cost for premium features
  • Price: Starting at $119.97/year for 3 devices

Key Features to Consider​

When choosing antivirus software for your real estate business, consider the following features:

  • Real-Time Protection: Ensure the software provides continuous scanning and protection against threats as they arise.

  • Ease of Management: Look for solutions that offer centralized management, allowing you to control and update security settings across all devices easily.

  • Multi-Device Support: If your team uses a mix of Windows and macOS devices, choose software that supports both platforms seamlessly.

  • Additional Security Features: Consider solutions that offer extras like VPNs, firewalls, and email protection to enhance your overall security posture.

Set up an Antivirus Solution for your Appraisal Practice​

For real estate appraisers, investing in reliable antivirus software is not just about protecting data—it's about safeguarding your reputation and business operations. By choosing the right antivirus solution, you can ensure that your appraisal business remains secure, allowing you to focus on providing excellent service to your clients.

For more tips on enhancing your computer security, check out our guide on ad blockers for real estate appraisers, email security best practices for real estate appraisers and password security and management for real estate appraisers.