How Does Antivirus Work?
A cybersecurity solution that detects, prevents and removes malware (malicious software) such as viruses from a computer or network. Antivirus software typically includes multiple tools to help safeguard devices from cyberattacks, including customizable firewalls and website blocking.
How Does Antivirus Work?
The majority of antivirus programs operate based on a signature-based detection system. This means that when a potential virus file or program is encountered, the antivirus scans the code and compares it to a database of known malware signatures. If the file is flagged as a threat, then the antivirus program will immediately quarantine or delete it to protect the device and its users from infection.
In addition to scanning files, most modern antivirus programs also monitor running applications and network traffic in real time. They use this data to identify suspicious behavior, such as connecting to malicious command-and-control servers, which can then lead to the distribution of a virus.
To further reduce the chances of false positives, many modern antivirus programs use a method called sandbox analysis. With this feature, a suspected file or program is executed in a virtual environment to see how it behaves before it’s permitted into the actual system. This allows the antivirus program to be more confident in allowing or denying access to potentially dangerous files without risking the integrity of other systems. While this is not a foolproof method of protection, it’s one that MSPs should consider implementing to provide their clients with the best possible level of security.