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In 2025, finance professionals face significant cybersecurity challenges due to evolving cyber threats. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) secures internet connections and encrypts data, while antivirus software detects and neutralizes malware and phishing attempts. For optimal protection, it is recommended to use both tools. A VPN masks IP addresses, encrypts sensitive transactions, prevents data harvesting on public Wi-Fi, and shields browsing from tracking. Antivirus software detects malware, blocks phishing emails, prevents keyloggers, quarantines infected files, and offers real-time threat detection, but does not encrypt internet connections. The comparison shows that a VPN encrypts internet traffic and hides IP addresses, while antivirus software prevents phishing and malware, detects keyloggers, and provides real-time threat monitoring. For financial safety, using both a VPN and antivirus is crucial, especially when accessing sensitive data on public networks or dealing with potentially harmful downloads. Common scenarios include using a VPN for banking on hotel Wi-Fi, requiring antivirus for suspicious downloads, and needing both tools for trading crypto on public Wi-Fi. Relying on one tool alone is insufficient, as a VPN does not protect against malware, and antivirus does not secure internet traffic.