Antivirus software (antivirus program) is a security program designed to prevent, detect, search and remove viruses and other types of malware from computers, networks and other devices. Often included as part of a security package, antivirus software can also be purchased as a standalone option.
Typically installed on a computer as a proactive approach to cybersecurity, an antivirus program can help mitigate a variety of cyber threats, including keyloggers, browser hijackers, Trojan horses, worms, rootkits, spyware, adware, botnets, phishing attempts and ransomware attacks.
Due to the constantly evolving nature of cybercrimes and new versions of malware being released daily, including zero-day attacks, no antivirus program can offer detection and protection against all threat vectors.
Antivirus software typically runs as a background process, scanning computers, servers or mobile devices to detect and restrict the spread of malware. Many antivirus software programs include real-time threat detection and protection to guard against potential vulnerabilities and perform system scans that monitor device and system files, looking for possible risks.
Antivirus software usually performs the following basic functions:
To scan systems comprehensively, antivirus software must generally be given privileged access to the entire system. This makes antivirus software itself a common target for attackers, and researchers have discovered remote code execution and other serious vulnerabilities in antivirus software products in recent years.
The purpose of antivirus software isn’t only to defend a system against security threats and vulnerabilities, but also to provide real-time protection through automated vulnerability scans.
Antivirus software provides the following benefits:
Antivirus software is distributed in several forms, including standalone antivirus scanners, machine learning and cloud-based programs, malware signatures and internet security software suites that offer antivirus protection, along with firewalls, privacy controls and other security protections. Popular providers of both free and commercial antivirus products include AVG Technologies, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, McAfee, Norton and Trend Micro.
Some antivirus software vendors offer basic versions of their products at no charge. These free versions generally offer basic antivirus and spyware protection, but more advanced features and protections are usually available only to paying customers.
While some OSes are targeted more frequently by virus developers, antivirus software is available for most OSes:
Antivirus software uses a variety of virus detection techniques. The following are six common types:
According to CyberCrime Magazine, 90% of the world’s population, ages 6 and older, will be connected to the internet by 2030. This exponential growth in internet connections is also responsible for the significant rise in viruses and cyber attacks.
While antivirus programs were originally developed to combat viruses and cyber threats, they do come with a few limitations.
The following highlights the current and future challenges of antivirus software:
Ever-evolving trends in technology, including metaverse, Web3, fintech and autonomous vehicles, make it more challenging to get the right antivirus protection. With so many endpoints to secure — from crypto wallets to virtual reality devices — there are times that antivirus software could fall short. Most traditional antivirus technologies can’t detect modern fileless attacks that use trusted systems, such as PowerShell, to carry out the attacks.
While antivirus software can mitigate certain ransomware attacks, it can’t stop or remove ransomware once it’s taken control of a system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove ransomware and minimize its effect.
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