software
How does anti-virus software work?
Anti-virus software works to protect your computer from harmful viruses. Viruses are created when someone with malicious intent writes code that is designed to harm your computer or data. When this code is executed, it can cause your computer to crash, delete files, or even spread itself to other computers. Anti-virus software works by identifying these pieces of code and stopping them from executing.
There are two main ways that anti-virus software works. The first is by scanning your computer for viruses. This is done by looking for known patterns of code that are known to be associated with viruses. When a piece of code is found that matches one of these patterns, the anti-virus software will take action to remove it.
The second way that anti-virus software works is by checking files that are downloaded from the internet. Since viruses are often spread by email or through downloading infected files, checking these files before they are opened can prevent a virus from infecting your computer. When a file is downloaded, the anti-virus software will calculate a checksum for the file. This checksum is a unique value that is associated with the file. The anti-virus software will then compare this checksum to a database of known virus checksums. If a match is found, the anti-virus software will take action to remove the file or block it from being executed.
Anti-virus software is an important tool for keeping your computer safe from harm. It is important to keep your anti-virus software up to date, as new viruses are constantly being created. You should also be careful about what you download and open, as even a well-protected computer can be infected by a virus if you are not careful.
software
What is the difference between anti-virus and anti-malware software?
There are a few key differences between anti-virus and anti-malware software. Anti-virus software is primarily designed to protect your computer from viruses, which are malicious software programs that can infect your computer and cause damage. Anti-malware software is designed to protect your computer from a broader range of threats, including viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious software.
Another key difference is how these types of software work. Anti-virus software typically uses signature-based detection, which means it looks for patterns in the code of known viruses to identify them. Anti-malware software, on the other hand, often uses heuristic and behavioral detection, which means it looks for common characteristics of malware and suspicious activity, even if the specific piece of code is not known.
So, which type of software do you need? If you’re primarily concerned about viruses, then anti-virus software is a good choice. If you’re concerned about a broader range of threats, then anti-malware software is a better choice. And, if you want the best protection possible, you should use both types of software.
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about anti-virus. Click here to learn more.