Antivirus – The First Line of Defense Against Malicious Software
Antivirus is a type of cyber security software that searches for, detects, prevents and removes malicious software (malware) such as viruses. This malware can harm your devices and steal your data, or even spread to other connected devices if you’re not careful. Malware can be hidden in attachments to dubious emails, downloaded via USB drives, or infected through dodgy websites. Antivirus is the first line of defense against such threats.
Almost all antivirus products perform the same basic functions, but there are differences in what they offer and how they work. For example, some antivirus software offers a password manager and other features to help protect your online privacy. Others might block pop-up ads and other distracting content while others scan for threats in real-time to stop attacks before they happen.
Traditional antivirus software relies on a database of known malware footprints to isolate and remove threats. Unfortunately, these programs often miss new types of malware that don’t have a signature yet. To combat this, modern antivirus software analyzes what a program actually does rather than just matching against files. This makes it much more effective at catching modified or fileless strains of malware.
However, antivirus does have its limits and shouldn’t be used as your sole cybersecurity solution. To stay safe, rely on a robust endpoint protection platform that combines antivirus with other security tools such as firewalls, IPS, IDS/IPS, and more to protect your organization against the full spectrum of threats.