How does Antivirus Protection Work?

Any time you download or launch a file, an antivirus program scans the file for malware. Most antivirus programs today have numerous scanning detection processes to ensure maximum safety for their uses.

The most basic detection process common to all antiviruses today is called “specific detection.” Specific detection works by scanning a file for specific traits and checking these traits against a known list of malware. When antiviruses first emerged in the late 1980s, this was the type of detection they all used, and this type of detections continues to be an essential component of modern antiviruses. But cybercriminals have developed effective workarounds for this process. A cybercriminal can disguise a piece of malware by even slightly modifying the code, rendering the malware undetectable.

Advanced antivirus protection today requires using heuristic detection to ensure that even unknown malware cannot compromise their intended victims’ computers. Heuristic detection describes the method of analyzing the code of a file to determine if it contains processes commonly found in malware. If suspicious code is detected then the antivirus deletes the file or recommends it for quarantine. Heuristics works by searching for and identifying malware-like behavior or attributes rather than specific virus signatures that matches the signatures on a blacklist of known viruses.

How Does an Antivirus Software Work to Protect Your Computer?

Antivirus protection is essential for all computers. Whether you have a desktop or laptop, and a Mac, Windows, or Linux OS, an antivirus provides protection by running background scans, full system scans, and downloading and checking virus definitions.

Background scanning, also known as on-access scanning, is the continuous scanning your antivirus does every time you download or open a file. Any time you open a file, your antivirus scans it to make sure it contain code from a known virus, or any code that might indicate malicious behavior.

A full system scan is a scan of everything on your computer. Most antiviruses are set to perform a full system scan on a weekly basis to ensure there are no dormant malicious files on our computer. A full system scan is less essential than background scanning, since background scanning should detect any malware right away. But full system scans are still essential, just to be sure nothing has flown under the radar.

All antiviruses have a list of virus definitions, or known viruses that should not be allowed access to the computer. Antiviruses continuously download updated viruses definitions, to ensure they are aware of the latest types of viruses, so they can block them if they are downloaded.

Why You Need Antivirus Protection?

PC users (along with users of other mobile devices) these days cannot survive without antivirus protection. Virus, ransomware and other types of malware, and most importantly, the zero-day threat strike the digital world at regular intervals. And without Antivirus protection, your PC can get affected by one of these easily – if it is not protected using the right security software like antivirus.

• Keeps Your PC(s) Secure Against Security Threats: Antivirus software typically scans your operating systems for malware (which includes viruses too) and prevents them from taking any adverse action. In other words, defends your PC(s) against various security attacks. Of course, there are more sophisticated security software available in the IT security market these days, but all of them include antivirus protection. This just goes to show how important antivirus software is.

• Prevent Data And Identity Theft: Obviously, your PC(s) will contain sensitive data and your online identity details. Both of which, if they fall into the wrong hands, can ruin your life. And antivirus software, by securing your PC(s) against security threats, also secure your data and identity as well. Another advantage of using antivirus software.

• Keep Your Children Safe Online: Unfortunately, the internet is a very dark place, which can lead young innocent ones, surfing online towards pornographic websites. Having antivirus software which usually comes equipped with parental controls will prevent such mishaps from occurring.

• Guards Your PC 24/7: Antivirus(es) regularly monitor your PC(s) for malicious software and defend your PC(s) against them through constant scanning of different types. And PC users will be alerted to of any malicious activity so that they can take the appropriate action.

• The Last Line Of Defense: Antivirus will serve as the last line of defense when everything else fails. For this reason, antivirus serves as the central technology for different types of security software. Simply put, when everything else fails, antivirus can act as the last line of defense for your PC.

Conclusion

AntiVirus Protection is a must. Without this, your PC gets exposed to various types of security threats. Virus, malware, ransomware, trojans to name a few. And not to forget the zero-day threats. Therefore install antivirus and protect your PC's security from being compromised.

About Comodo Antivirus – The Best Antivirus Protection for PC

Comodo Antivirus uses advanced heuristic detection and patented auto-containment technology to ensure that even unknown malware cannot compromise our users’ computers. Our heuristic detection technology analyzes the code of a file to determine if it contains processes commonly found in malware. If suspicious code is identified, Comodo Antivirus deletes the file or flags it for containment. Files run in Comodo containment are kept in a sandbox environment, separate from your operating system, where they cannot gain access to your computer or your sensitive data.