What Is Antivirus Software?
Antivirus is software that helps prevent, scan and detect viruses, as well as other malware (malicious software), on a device. It can also help protect a network from threats that could be transferred between devices (such as phishing, spam websites or fake app downloads), as well as mitigate the risk of cyberattacks by blocking access to unsecured servers.
The earliest antivirus software relied on signature detection, which looked for the digital thumbprints of known threats. If a program was found to contain a harmful pattern or code sequence, the antivirus would then add it to its database. This type of software was limited in that it only protected against attacks that had already been discovered and shared with security professionals.
Newer software uses AI and machine learning to identify and block more sophisticated threats that are more difficult for human security teams to spot. This includes ransomware, which locks a device until payment is made, cryptominers, which hijack devices to mine cryptocurrency, and exploit kits, which use flaws in operating systems or other vulnerabilities to infect a device with malware.
Many antivirus programs offer free trials or discounts, which can be helpful in evaluating a product before making a purchase. In addition to its features and performance, it’s important to consider the reputation of the vendor and customer support, as well as the frequency with which the virus definitions are updated. This will ensure that the program is as effective as possible against evolving threats.