Latest news with #IanEvenden
Business Mayor
13-05-2025
- Business Mayor
Best antivirus software that will keep your tech safe
Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email Anyone who's used a PC in the past 20 years will be aware of antivirus software. Adverts have been popping up everywhere, telling us our computers are at risk and we need to update our protection or buy more. While Windows 11 comes with its own security solution, installing third-party antivirus software can give you a greater sense of security, as well as, potentially, faster updates, more options, bundled extras such as VPNs, browser plugins, and even tech support, should anything go wrong. A big part of computer security comes from the user's behavior. So, don't click on links from unknown email senders or run downloaded applications if you don't know their source. Don't reuse the same password over and over again, either. Whether it's ransomware, spyware, or old-fashioned computer viruses you're worried about, the antivirus packages we've highlighted here should be able to help. How we tested Our reviewer put each and every app through a rigorous testing process (Ian Evenden) All the antivirus apps here were installed on a Windows 11 PC updated to the latest version and with all security patches available at the time of writing. Unwilling to expose the PC to genuine danger or the dark web, we used specially created files from to simulate virus attacks. We also visited the antivirus test site to gauge how well the apps responded to the presence of potentially harmful malware. We then used each product to scan the SSD of a Windows 11 PC with a mix of apps, documents, and the OS itself — and noted how long it took to complete. We also looked at the reports compiled by independent security testing labs, such as SE Labs and AV-Test, to see which of the security packages were impressing the experts there. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews IndyBest is devoted to delivering honest reviews and expert recommendations. Our experienced team of editors and writers rigorously test products to provide reliable insights and helpful advice. Ian Evenden is a writer and editor specializing in gaming, computing, science, and technology. He has been contributing to IndyBest since 2021, applying his keen eye for detail and high standards to tech reviews such as the best Chromebooks, keyboards, and VPN services. The best antivirus software for 2025 are:
The Independent
17-03-2025
- The Independent
The best VPN services for Windows in 2025, expert tried and tested
A VPN (virtual private network) is an app that routes your internet traffic through a specific server. This can be handy for two reasons: you can use one to access secure office systems when you're working from home – something that will usually be provided by your company's IT department – or you can install one yourself to encrypt and mask your internet usage, and appear to be browsing from another country. The benefits of this are that it blocks out anyone who might be snooping on your connection, as they can only see you access the VPN, and not where you go after that, and it can be used to circumvent geo-blocks and access services more easily from abroad. There are a lot of VPNs out there, offering different levels of service and security at different price points. As Windows is the world's most popular computer operating system, we've been busy testing a range of VPN options, to bring you the best ones for PCs. Keep scrolling for our full review and verdict. How we tested We installed each of these VPN apps on a Windows 11 PC, updated to the latest version at the time of writing, and with all security patches installed, but no other security software active. Then, we used internet speed tests and downloaded large files from the cloud, to see how well each service performed, as well as investigating how they worked with streaming services and whether the VPN providers were keeping logs of our activity. Why you can trust us Ian Evenden is a writer and editor specialising in gaming, computing, science and technology publications. Ian has been contributing to IndyBest since 2021, applying his key eye for detail and high standards to tech reviews such as the best Chromebooks, keyboards and anti-virus security equipment.
