What is Antivirus?
What is Antivirus?
Antivirus is software that detects and removes malware from computers, laptops and other devices. Malicious software, or malware, can attack a device in many ways — hidden in a file sent as an attachment in an email (malspam), loaded onto a USB drive by visiting a malicious website (ransomware) or spread through networks via malware-laden programs on other connected devices (computer worms).
Most antivirus software protects against threats already in its database by scanning files and looking for patterns that indicate malware. The best antiviruses also have other features that can help keep your devices secure. For example, some offer a password manager or other form of password protection, and some can alert you to sketchy websites before you visit them to steer you away from sites that might try to steal your personal information and sell it to identity thieves.
When selecting an antivirus, we look at the detection rates it achieves in controlled tests, as well as any other security features it offers. We also consider the amount of memory or CPU resources an antivirus program requires, as some can be a significant drain on a computer. We also look at how well an antivirus can handle false positives, which are instances in which the software incorrectly identifies a normal file or program as malware.
Because viruses and other malware are constantly changing, antivirus software needs frequent updates in order to continue detecting new threats. We look at how often a particular product receives such updates and whether the provider makes this information public.