We all want to find the best solution for our computer and protect our data from hackers. Nowadays, there are countless options and brands you can pick up even if your budget is tight, and you cannot afford Pro or Premium suites right away. You can always check professional reviews, read official websites, and check independent lab tests before making the decision.
For instance, you google information about McAfee antivirus, and you get all vital information on the product, all pros and cons, and other crucial information. However, you also need to know what are all those features and how they are improving your online presence quality. Yet, how does antivirus work, and why is it crucial to have one?
How Does Antivirus Work
The prototype of antivirus programs can be traced back to the 1980s, and antivirus software (sometimes referred to as anti-malware programs) is created to detect, block, and remove malicious software from your computer before it applies any threatening changes in the system. Many free antiviruses go as a trial version of then paid products, but some of them can be used for a longer time before you decide to buy the product. At the same time, some antivirus software comes with a limited set of features.
You always can buy separate packages like VPN or adware removals without the necessity to purchase the subscription. Still, many brands design their subscription suites in such a manner that you don’t have to worry about some specific aspect being unprotected. Many suites cover browser experience, and USB associated threats equally good.
On the other hand, free antivirus solutions give you baseline protection that prevents malware from infiltrating or changing the system. The primary goal of antivirus is to notify you if something is not right in the system. You should always follow the basic steps of internet safety, but sometimes it is impossible to detect the virus in the program that looks legitimate.
How Does Antivirus Finds and Prevent Malware
Antiviruses use databases that allow you to stay updated and safe from any new appearing malicious programs. From spyware to ransomware, most free antiviruses can prevent their installation even before the program starts it. You can be sure that even the most recent codes designed by hackers will be detected due to other aspects that antivirus applies when detecting suspicious behavior.
- Heuristic-based detection is the type of detection that employs the algorithm to compare the signature of the known viruses against the potential threat. In other words, in some way or another, even sophisticated malware uses specific patterns that antivirus will detect and mark as dangerous, preventing it from installment. It is the most well-known method of malware detection available for free, but it can create a false positive situation (marking legitimate programs as malware).
- Signature-based or virus database detection relies on existing databases, definition files, dictionaries that have a list of all known virus signatures. These signatures enable the antivirus program to indicate viruses that were already analyzed by security professionals. On the other hand, signature-based detection can fail to recognize the new virus that updated itself with new information and wasn’t listed in the database yet.
- Behavior-based detection relies on suspicious activities that malware may employ when entering the system (changing settings, modifying or deleting files, remotely connecting to the device), and block the theft attempt before it is too late. It is a useful method for detecting malware. Still, it also may create false warnings, mistakenly thinking that an authorized program tries to steal when it is trying to report to an online server.
- Sandbox detection sends suspicious programs to a sandbox, the emulated environment for the program to run, and analyze its behavior. If it proves to be destructive or abnormal, the antivirus will alert you. Often sandbox detection is available in paid subscription suites.
- Cloud antivirus detection protects your computer by using a client that sends the information to a server in the cloud. In such a manner, your system is not affected by additional processings, and any malicious files are also captured before they apply changes. This method is also used in paid subscriptions as an additional measure of security scans.
Malware and Its Types
The most popular threat out there is malware that encloses viruses, worms, and other unwanted codes and programs that change, steal, and destroy your system. It often gains your sensitive information, and it is a base for a future cybercrime. At the same time, viruses and worms can be classified as malware, and they are corrupting the system or destroying the data or spread by the infected component.
How to Know if You Need an Antivirus
- Your computer slows down and overheats.
- You notice offline and online pop-ups out of nowhere.
- Any suspicious screens that appear during booting signify infection.
- Your computer fails to recognize external hardware.
- Your browser acts suspicious and opens websites you didn’t request.
- Your programs are randomly opening or shutting down.
Pro Tips for Internet Security
- Use free or paid antivirus to prevent your computer infection; it is impossible to notice malware with your bare eye, even if you are a conscious and responsible user.
- Backup your data to prevent its erasure.
- Use only trusted and recognized resources and products.
- Be attentive to your computer’s suspicious behavior, and don’t wait until the changes are irreversible.
Image Credit: Antivirus via Wright Studio/Shutterstock