What is antivirus?
Antivirus is a type of software that scans, detects, and removes malicious programs (like viruses, worms, and trojans) from computers and other devices, helping keep them safe and running smoothly.
Let's break it down
- Scan: The program looks through files and memory for known bad code.
- Detect: It compares what it finds to a database of known threats.
- Remove/Quarantine: If a threat is found, the software either deletes it or isolates it so it can’t cause harm.
- Real‑time protection: Many antiviruses watch activity continuously, stopping threats before they can act.
Why does it matter?
Without antivirus, harmful software can steal personal data, damage files, slow down devices, or turn a computer into a tool for attackers. Antivirus helps protect privacy, maintain performance, and prevent costly repairs or data loss.
Where is it used?
- Personal computers (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Smartphones and tablets (Android, iOS)
- Business networks and servers
- Internet of Things (IoT) devices that support security software
- Cloud services that offer built‑in scanning for uploaded files
Good things about it
- Provides a safety net for users who may click on unsafe links or download unknown files.
- Often updates automatically, staying current with new threats.
- Can include extra tools like firewalls, web protection, and password managers.
- Helps meet compliance requirements for businesses handling sensitive data.
Not-so-good things
- May consume system resources, slowing down older devices.
- False positives can flag safe files as threats, causing inconvenience.
- No antivirus can catch 100% of threats; safe habits are still essential.
- Some free versions have limited features or display ads.