What IS It?
What IS antivirus software? What exactly does it do?
So many companies sell the stuff and often one hears a colleague mutter about it. But what is it? Is it any good?
Antivirus software is an installation used to protect, ward off, conquer, and pretty much eradicate malware.
What IS malware? A terminology derived from the words, “malicious software.” Also known as software infiltrated in one’s computer system without warning and consent.
Once a computer is infected, it is imperative that the user considers antivirus software to wipe out the culprit. Far too many good people are victims to malware and that malware might just affect one’s livelihood. It’s stressful.
Antivirus software will use various types of detection, signature based detection being the most common.
What IS signature based detection though? It’s the software’s way of detecting a virus through comparison of the file to the virus signatures. And the entire file is searched through pieces. Because new and unseemly viruses are developed every day, signature based detection searches for updated virus dictionaries. This software is frequently updated to catch the virus and is actually a virus in itself so that it may be analyzed and added to the dictionary of the virus. This is an effective way of capturing what could become a viral outbreak before it happens.
It’s like a really good flu shot during flu season.
What IS the best antivirus software out there? There are many and there are none. Truth is, authors of malware are constantly staying one step ahead of antivirus software. However, some noted independent quality testing agencies include AV-Comparatives, ICSA Labs, West Coast Labs, VB100 and other members of the AMTSO (Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization)
In other words? The fight against malware continues. It’s not a pretty fight but it is a fight, nonetheless.