We need antivirus solutions to protect our computers. And, to keep up with the latest emerging threats, antivirus programs have been evolving to offer a wide range of features.

Real-time protection and ransomware defenses are some of the most valuable features of a modern antivirus solution. Besides all the offerings you need to install on your computer, there are also cloud antivirus products.

Cloud antivirus products utilize the internet connection to keep things secure on your computer. But, what is a cloud antivirus? Should you use it for your computer? Here's everything you need to know.

What Is Cloud Antivirus?

A cloud antivirus works the same way and offers all the relevant features that you find on a full-fledged suite of security tools installed on your computer.

However, cloud antivirus relies on a cloud server to process/scan for malware or suspicious behavior. You still need to install it on your system, just like a traditional antivirus solution. But, only a few components of the antivirus tool reside on your computer, not all of them.

A cloud-based antivirus aims to minimize the workload of your system and does all the heavy lifting on a cloud server, which is why you need internet connectivity when using such a tool.

In addition to the minimal impact on your system resources, some other benefits to it include:

  • Avoid slow-downs on your computer.
  • Receive up-to-date threat information from the cloud quickly.
  • Advanced features powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

How Does Cloud Antivirus Work?

cloud antivirus server

You need to install the antivirus program as usual. The only difference is that the installation will be minimal, taking the least storage space.

In other words, you install the user-facing side of the program, where you can tweak specific options and access the cloud antivirus.

When compared to a traditional installation, a fewer number of virus definitions reside on your computer. The majority of the threat database lives on the cloud. So, you get to save up storage space on your system.

With this kind of setup, the intensive scans required to process on your computer are almost eliminated, freeing up your system resources. So, you can easily use cloud antivirus without worrying too much about the performance impact while you work or game.

Hence, cloud antivirus should work fine even on older computers.

Can You Use Cloud Antivirus on Your Personal Computer?cloud antivirus pc

Yes, of course, you can. However, cloud antivirus is a convenient offering for businesses and enterprises where it is tough to install antivirus programs on every system while making sure that it is regularly updated.

With a cloud antivirus, you get a wide range of features that makes it convenient for workplaces to use it. Some of them include:

  • A dashboard to manage all device installations
  • Quick deployment and scanning
  • Real-time monitoring and alerts
  • Detailed reporting of how the systems are being protected
  • Remote IT support
  • Easy third-party integrations

Individuals can also use cloud antivirus solutions on personal computers. You can effectively find viruses that hide from you.

However, there aren't many antivirus programs offering cloud-based protection for individuals/personal use. Fortunately, we list some good ones here as you read on.

When it comes to personal use, you may expect some of the following features that include:

  • Network monitor
  • Tracking alerts
  • Website filters
  • Screen time control
  • Hardware health check

5 Best Cloud Antivirus Products

While there are several cloud-based antivirus programs for businesses, we focus more on personal users and include a couple of options for businesses.

Note that the list is in no particular order of ranking.

1. Kaspersky Security Cloud

Kaspersky Security Cloud is tailored for individual use. It lets you monitor your devices and online accounts and enforces parental controls and other essential features.

The Security Cloud subscription is a bit pricier compared to its traditional offering. But, if you want something with the most negligible software footprint and something easy to manage, Kaspersky Security Cloud should be a fantastic option.

2. Webroot SecureAnywhere

webroot antivirus

Webroot is one of the earliest cloud-based antivirus solutions available for personal use. It offers all the necessary features to protect against adware, spyware, keyloggers, etc.

It is popular for its superfast scans, relying on cloud-based technology. Webroot offers affordable and flexible pricing plans for various requirements.

3. Bitdefender Total Security

bitdefender cloud total

Bitdefender is a solid antivirus protection option where you get both the benefits of a robust antivirus tool on your system and its cloud-based scanning tech.

You get all the essential features and access to the cloud network with its Total Security edition. However, you can explore more of its offerings as per your requirements.

4. Avast Business Hub

Avast Business Hub is an impressive platform for businesses to secure their computers easily and seamlessly manage them from a single place.

You get detailed reporting, a dashboard, alerts, remote control, and the ability to run real-time commands.

5. Malwarebytes Nebula

Malwarebytes Nebula is a business-focused solution with powerful cloud-based features to detect and eliminate threats.

You get a range of robust security features that should help you quickly deploy and manage the cloud antivirus solution.

The Downsides of Cloud-Based Antivirus

Like every cloud-based solution, it also comes with some downsides. Some of them include:

  • An always-active internet connection to take advantage of the cloud-based scanning and features.
  • The customization options remain restricted, considering the cloud takes care of everything without you needing to do anything.
  • The cloud-based scanning introduces potential privacy situations. The information collected, transmitted to the cloud, and how it is protected, everything is a matter of concern.
  • The cloud server can have downtimes which could affect the ability to protect your computer actively.
  • While cloud antivirus aims to improve performance, it could have potential slowdowns due to server or network issues.

So, keep these points in mind before spending your hard-earned money on a cloud antivirus solution.

Is Cloud Antivirus the Future? Should You Use It?

Cloud antivirus provides essential benefits that minimize the impact of a security solution on your computer. With a cloud antivirus product, you can get more things done quickly. Whether it is a business or individual use case, a product that can save your time and system resources is always welcome.

However, it would be best to consider the pros and cons before choosing a cloud antivirus product. It is best suited for businesses and may not be suitable for all individual settings. If you are confident that the drawbacks are not a concern, cloud antivirus should be perfect for your use case.