Antivirus Example
In computing, an Antivirus is a software or program that is installed on a computer, to fulfill the function of acting against malicious codes or programs . This is equivalent to protection against Malware , which is a type of software that has malicious intentions. Examples of Malware are Spyware, Worms, Viruses and Trojans.
When acquiring a computer, one of the first actions that it
is essential to take is to install an Antivirus . It is proven that hackers or
cyber attackers are capable of infecting any operating system, and of starting
to capture the functions to which the user has access, to use them either
against him or someone external still.
The Antivirus can be purchased on its own , choosing the
firm that best suits the needs of quality and functionality, or it can be
included in the security package of the machine.
Antivirus functions
Antiviruses are in charge of multiple functions, among which
the following stand out:
Regulate the contact that the computer has with files or
downloads of a mysterious nature. Since there are a lot of misleading
advertisements and tabs that open against our will when entering certain
Internet pages, protection is needed for file downloads that run alone.
Invasion of user privacy is very simple.
Constant review of each document or website voluntarily
opened on the computer, analyzing it thoroughly, to see if there is any danger
of an action being executed that damages the optimal functioning of the
operating system.
Continuous protection and analysis for the complete equipment , the user being able to analyze their operating hard disk, high capacity external storage units, USB sticks for school use, among other storage addresses.
Antivirus Operation
Antivirus software focuses on two main mechanisms for
identifying malware:
Signature Detection: This method has the purpose of
analyzing the suspicious file or program , and in case of detecting a malicious
intent in it, it begins to resort to a list of known malware to know if the one
currently studied is there. In case it is listed, the antivirus will proceed to
neutralize it. On the other hand, if it is not malware, the antivirus will
notify the user that they can continue to use the computer normally. Despite
everything, cyber attackers are always working on developing new modalities or
variants of malware; at such a speed that not even the big Antivirus firms have
managed to put themselves at the forefront in their catalogs.
Behavior Detection: This method does not focus on revealing
the identity of the malware, but rather constantly monitors its behavior and
the actions it takes on the computer. When it becomes known that it acts
suspiciously, for example, by accessing protected files or modifying others
without the user's will, the Antivirus informs the user of what is happening ,
with an alert notification. The advantage of this type of Antivirus over
Signature Detection is that they can cover any software that behaves in a
suspicious way, without the need to have an established database or malware
catalog that could sooner or later become obsolete.
Another important fact about Behavior Detection Antivirus is that it already warns when bad actions are being carried out on the computer, when the user had no idea what was happening before detection.
Recommendations when using an Antivirus
It is essential that you purchase your antivirus software
from a reputable vendor ; and in the case of a download, you have to resort to
well-recommended and safe portals.
On the other hand, you have to make sure that the Antivirus
version is the most recent , and that it has the updated functions; This will
ensure that the computer is closer to the optimal state of security.
In order to yield full advantage of the software, it is also
required to have the automatic , constant and real-time perusing function
active .
An important recommendation is that you should avoid having more than one antivirus software at the same time . If there are two, they will start attacking each other and therefore the security of the computer will be reduced.
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