Antivirus program

Alternatively referred to as antivirus software, AVS, antivir, or AV. An antivirus program is a software utility designed to protect your computer or network against computer viruses. If a virus is detected, the computer displays a warning asking if the infection should be quarantined, removed, ignored, or moved to the vault.

Do I need an antivirus program?

As mentioned above, if your computer is infected with a virus without an antivirus program installed, any number of malicious actions could occur. If you are running Microsoft Windows or macOS, we recommend having an antivirus program installed on the computer. If you have the latest version of Windows, make sure at the very least that Windows Defender is running.

What happens if a virus infects a computer without an antivirus?

If a virus infects a computer without an antivirus program, it may delete files, prevent access to files, send spam, spy on you, or perform other malicious actions. In some situations, a computer may not be compatible with your computer and the virus would only be used to spread to other computers.

What are examples of antivirus programs?

Today, there are different companies and antivirus products available for computers, servers, and even phones. New versions of Microsoft Windows even include Windows Defender, which with the latest versions of Windows can defend against computer viruses. Other well-known antivirus programs include Norton antivirus and McAfee, and popular free antivirus programs include Avast and AVG. See the link below for a full list of links and comparisons.

There are also antivirus programs that run from a USB flash drive or CD/DVD, making it portable and available to run without being installed. Many portable antivirus programs provide a GUI to run antivirus scans, while others provide a command line interface to run scans from the command line. Additionally, some portable antivirus programs are bootable, meaning they can scan a computer at boot up. A bootable antivirus program is especially helpful if a computer will not load into an operating system, due to a virus infection or other problems.

Portable antivirus programs

Below are several portable antivirus programs that have proven to be excellent at removing viruses and malware.

• Anvi Rescue Disk — a bootable antivirus program that provides a GUI for user-friendly operation; able to run on a USB flash drive.
• ClamWin Portable — provides a GUI to run scans and remove viruses and spyware that are found.
• Comodo Rescue Disk — a bootable antivirus program that provides a user-friendly GUI for running scans and removing threats; able to run on a USB flash drive or a CD/DVD.
• Emsisoft Emergency Kit — provides a command line interface and a GUI, allowing you to choose which way to run scans and remove malware.
• Spybot — Search & Destroy Portable — the portable version of the very popular Spybot malware removal tool; provides a GUI to run scans and remove threats found on a computer.

After installing an antivirus, what should I do?

Once an antivirus is installed and running, the program protects your computer from any new viruses or malware installing on your computer. All new antivirus programs also schedule times to scan all computer files for past infections or can be manually run at any time.

How do I open my antivirus program?

After installing an antivirus program on your computer, it should automatically start each time you boot your computer. If the antivirus program is not running in memory (in the background) your computer is not entirely protected. When running the program should show in the Windows Notification Area. In the picture is the AVG is the center icon in the Windows Notification Area. Right-clicking or double-clicking the antivirus icon opens the program and allows you to manually start a scan or view other available options.

When was the first antivirus program written?

The first antivirus programs began appearing in 1987 with the introduction of an antivirus program from G Data Software for the Atari ST. Later in the same year, VirusScan was introduced by John McAfee, which later became the McAfee antivirus program.

How to update antivirus definitions or keep the antivirus updated

Every antivirus program also has definitions that tell the antivirus program how to detect and clean any new viruses that may have been released. Thankfully today most antivirus programs automatically connect to the Internet and download the latest definitions or warn you if it’s not up-to-date.

If you do not update your antivirus, it cannot detect any new virus.

What happens if we do not update an antivirus?

As mentioned above an antivirus update keeps your antivirus software up-to-date with all the latest virus definitions. If a new virus is released and you have not updated your antivirus, it cannot detect the virus and would infect your computer.

What is antivirus?

What is Antivirus Software?

An antivirus software is commonly used by individuals and enterprises to protect their digital environment. It is an application used to identify, block and remove viruses and any other malware like Trojans, Spyware, Adware, etc.

In general, an antivirus software provides the following functions

• Scans the system for malicious or suspicious activities, files or programs
• Scans specific files or flash drives as per the clients’ demand
• Identifies and eliminates malicious code and sends an alert to the user.
• Cleans malware infected files
• Keeps the users updated on the systems’ health
• Stays up-to date with latest virus definitions to ensure detection and elimination of new malicious threats.

Why do we need antivirus software?

Any system that lacks an effective antivirus software is vulnerable to malware infection when connected to the internet. Also when a user clicks on any suspicious links or attachments that are sent across emails, the system is vulnerable to malicious attacks.

Antivirus scans suspicious files and compares the files’ code against code in the database. If the code pattern is identical to known malicious code in the database, the suspicious file is considered malware, and the antivirus quarantines it to a separate space or deletes it.

All the program files are scanned as they enter the system with the help of the antivirus scanning system. The executable codes that match the signatures are considered as viruses and are blacklisted. The other files are then passed through Defense+ and Host Intrusion Prevention Systems/ This allows the known files and the unknown files to be quarantined with the Defense+ Sandbox System. The files that are quarantined are restricted to run within a certain environment. The good files are added to the Whitelist, while isolated ones are passed on to lab analysis.

How antivirus enhances the performance of the system

Antivirus works to scan directories, files or the complete system/device for malware activities. The malware activity identified through the scan are presented to the user, and the system is cleaned upon the user’s request. This ensures that the system is malware free and hence prevents security breaches and other data theft. It also prevents the malware from slowing down in system performance.

Comodo Internet Security is a software suite that delivers efficient and robust protection from external threats. It is security suite system that includes the following

• Powerful antivirus
• Packet-filtering firewall
• Containment

• Viruscope
• Rescue Disk
• Cloud Backup

• Host Intrusion Prevention System often termed as HIPS

The Comodo Internet Security System also has a «Secure Shopping feature», to help users enjoy a secure shopping experience, ensuring that the sensitive information is not tracked and stolen. A «Virtual Desktop» lets users open suspicious websites and applications in a secure and isolated environment, which does not interfere with the normal operations of the system. There is built in URL filtering which obstructs malicious websites to keep users safe online. All the features are put together under one umbrella called the Comodo Security Suite, and gives complete 360° protection against any malware issues with absolute prevention, detection and protection for the users’ system.

The Comodo Internet Security System includes:

Signature-based Detection

Advanced antivirus software that verifies all executable files and programs and validates them with the existing list of viruses and malware. It also verifies if the unknown executable files are malware.

Sandbox Detection

Executes all applications or programs to check how they perform in a virtual space. Validates the application performance, and detects if the program is malicious or not.

Behavioural-based Detection

Examines files for malware traits while the file is executed. This mechanism can identify if the file or application is a malware only when it performs malware actions.

Data Mining Techniques

One of the most recent methods employed for malware identification, data mining examines the features of an application or program to help decide if the program is malicious or not.

Heuristic-based Detection

This type of detection is combines with signature-based detection to identify any new malware or its variant, even without the latest virus definitions.

What is Antivirus Software?

How Can It Help You Protect Yourself?

Antivirus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more.

Why Do I Need Antivirus Software?

These antivirus tools are critical for users to have installed and up-to-date because a computer without antivirus software protection will be infected within minutes of connecting to the internet. The bombardment is constant, which means antivirus companies have to update their detection tools regularly to deal with the more than 60,000 new pieces of malware created daily.

Hackers are targeting remote workers. Learn how to stay safe while out of the office in our Work from Home Playbook.

Today’s malware (an umbrella term that encompasses computer viruses) changes appearance quickly to avoid detection by older, definition-based antivirus software. Viruses can be programmed to cause damage to your device, prevent a user from accessing data, or to take control of your computer.

What Does AntiVirus Software Do?

Several different companies build antivirus software and what each offer can vary but all perform some essential functions:

• Scan specific files or directories for any malware or known malicious patterns
• Allow you to schedule scans to automatically run for you
• Allow you to initiate a scan of a particular file or your entire computer, or of a CD or flash drive at any time.
• Remove any malicious code detected –sometimes you will be notified of an infection and asked if you want to clean the file, other programs will automatically do this behind the scenes.
• Show you the ‘health’ of your computer

Always be sure you have the best, up-to-date security software installed to protect your computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

What Are the Benefits of Antivirus Software?

Antivirus solutions protect more than just laptops, office computers, smartphones and tablets. They protect precious memories, music and photo libraries, and important documents from destruction by malware. Make sure your protection is up to the challenge of defending against the latest threats.

Modern antivirus solutions are capable of:

• Detecting, blocking, and removing viruses, malware, and ransomware
• Preventing identity theft and block phishing and fraud
• Warning about dangerous websites and links before you click
• Scanning the Dark Web to find if an email address has been compromised
• Keeping online accounts protected with secure password encryption
• Providing simple training to teach you and your family how to be even safer online
• Tuning up your computer to keep it running smoothly, just like new

How Does Antivirus Software Work?

Many antivirus software programs still download malware definitions straight to your device and scan your files in search of matches. But since, as we mentioned, most malware regularly morphs in appearance to avoid detection, Webroot works differently. Instead of storing examples of recognized malware on your device, it stores malware definitions in the cloud. This allows us to take up less space, scan faster, and maintain a more robust threat library.

Free vs Paid Antivirus Software

From banking to baby photos, so much of our business and personal data live on our devices. If it were stored physically, paying for a security solution would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, we often expect our online data to remain secure without lifting a finger or spending a cent. Companies claiming to do it for free are partly responsible for the confusion, to be sure. But consumers should insist on features like identity theft protection, mobile security, and support options when it comes to their data security, too—features usually lacking with free solutions.

Where Can I Get Antivirus Software for my Computer?

Looking to purchase an antivirus for your personal devices? Smart move. You can compare the features of our award-winning antimalware products here.

What is antivirus?

What is Antivirus Software?

An antivirus software is commonly used by individuals and enterprises to protect their digital environment. It is an application used to identify, block and remove viruses and any other malware like Trojans, Spyware, Adware, etc.

In general, an antivirus software provides the following functions

• Scans the system for malicious or suspicious activities, files or programs
• Scans specific files or flash drives as per the clients’ demand
• Identifies and eliminates malicious code and sends an alert to the user.
• Cleans malware infected files
• Keeps the users updated on the systems’ health
• Stays up-to date with latest virus definitions to ensure detection and elimination of new malicious threats.

Why do we need antivirus software?

Any system that lacks an effective antivirus software is vulnerable to malware infection when connected to the internet. Also when a user clicks on any suspicious links or attachments that are sent across emails, the system is vulnerable to malicious attacks.

Antivirus scans suspicious files and compares the files’ code against code in the database. If the code pattern is identical to known malicious code in the database, the suspicious file is considered malware, and the antivirus quarantines it to a separate space or deletes it.

All the program files are scanned as they enter the system with the help of the antivirus scanning system. The executable codes that match the signatures are considered as viruses and are blacklisted. The other files are then passed through Defense+ and Host Intrusion Prevention Systems/ This allows the known files and the unknown files to be quarantined with the Defense+ Sandbox System. The files that are quarantined are restricted to run within a certain environment. The good files are added to the Whitelist, while isolated ones are passed on to lab analysis.

How antivirus enhances the performance of the system

Antivirus works to scan directories, files or the complete system/device for malware activities. The malware activity identified through the scan are presented to the user, and the system is cleaned upon the user’s request. This ensures that the system is malware free and hence prevents security breaches and other data theft. It also prevents the malware from slowing down in system performance.

Comodo Internet Security is a software suite that delivers efficient and robust protection from external threats. It is security suite system that includes the following

• Powerful antivirus
• Packet-filtering firewall
• Containment

• Viruscope
• Rescue Disk
• Cloud Backup

• Host Intrusion Prevention System often termed as HIPS

The Comodo Internet Security System also has a «Secure Shopping feature», to help users enjoy a secure shopping experience, ensuring that the sensitive information is not tracked and stolen. A «Virtual Desktop» lets users open suspicious websites and applications in a secure and isolated environment, which does not interfere with the normal operations of the system. There is built in URL filtering which obstructs malicious websites to keep users safe online. All the features are put together under one umbrella called the Comodo Security Suite, and gives complete 360° protection against any malware issues with absolute prevention, detection and protection for the users’ system.

The Comodo Internet Security System includes:

Signature-based Detection

Advanced antivirus software that verifies all executable files and programs and validates them with the existing list of viruses and malware. It also verifies if the unknown executable files are malware.

Sandbox Detection

Executes all applications or programs to check how they perform in a virtual space. Validates the application performance, and detects if the program is malicious or not.

Behavioural-based Detection

Examines files for malware traits while the file is executed. This mechanism can identify if the file or application is a malware only when it performs malware actions.

Data Mining Techniques

One of the most recent methods employed for malware identification, data mining examines the features of an application or program to help decide if the program is malicious or not.

Heuristic-based Detection

This type of detection is combines with signature-based detection to identify any new malware or its variant, even without the latest virus definitions.