How Anti-virus Software Programs Work

Installing anti-virus software programs on your computer is very important if you want to safeguard your computer from worms and viruses. But just having a program uploaded on your computer isn't enough. Once a program is installed, you must run it always, update it regularly, scan it for viruses daily and make sure that your computer is safe and secure. If you don't do these things or didn't know about it, your computer may not be safe and may not get the safety and protection that these programs are intended to provide.

But it is never too late to learn. Once you start learning, you will soon get the hang of things and will be able to do it yourself without anyone's help or advice. So, get going and learn how to fully benefit from your anti-virus software programs. Follow the steps below and find out what's required from you to keep your computer safe and secure.

Always run your anti-virus software programs

It is very important that you run your software programs on your computer all the time. Anti-virus software programs scan for new viruses as they come in and attack your computer. So, it is very important that you keep it on always. Some programs are run by default while others are not. So, check your computer to make sure.

Update your software regularly

Your security program has a virus definitions file in which it contains virus patterns. If this file is not updated, your program will not be able to recognize all the new viruses out there. So, it is important that you update your software regularly. Most programs can be updated and can check for new virus definitions automatically. So, check whether your computer is using current virus definitions or not and set the right functions.

Scan your hard drive for viruses

Sometimes, even if you have your anti-virus program monitoring your program, there is chance that some viruses may get in and infect files. So, make sure you scan your hard drive and check for viruses that may already be present.

Renew anti-virus subscriptions when necessary

If you have been using a trial version of your software, make sure you renew your subscription since your program will expire in a short time. If you don't, you will not be protected from new viruses and your computer may be a target.

Purchasing anti-virus software

There are many anti-virus software programs available today and most of them are relatively inexpensive. One of the most well known programs is McAfee offering security solutions from home and businesses to enterprises and industries. One of their best selling products is the McAfee Internet Security Suite, which offers protection for your computer and protects you from identity theft, spam , as well as from viruses and hackers. It even backs up your files and photos and keeps your computer healthy and safe. Other anti-virus software programs include:

• Symantec (Norton)
• BitDefender
• TrendMicro PC-cillin
• AntiVir

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How Anti-Virus Programs Work

Most computer users have armed their home computer with protection from various harmful viruses that could be acquired from using the internet. Have you ever wondered how these antivirus software programs go about discerning safe files from those that could infect your computer and cause serious damage? There are actually several methods that these antivirus programs use to keep your computer safe from infection.

One method used is known as malicious activity detection. The antivirus software keeps tabs on the entire computer system. If there is any type of abnormal behaviour from any program, the software may begin monitoring it using another of these methods that will be mentioned later in this article.

Another method and perhaps the most well used is signature based detection. The anti-virus software contains a dictionary of the various signatures used by malicious computer viruses. What the software does is scan file contents. Then a comparison is made between those contents and the known virus signatures. When a match is made then the virus is detected.

A third approach is known as file analysis. With this method the antivirus software looks for files that have instructions contained within them that are similar to viruses. There are some drawbacks to this approach. In order for this method to work on your computer, the antivirus software must draw upon a significant amount of computer's resources. This makes it difficult to do other activities when the software is running. This method also works well to identify new viruses and their offshoots. Like other methods, on occasion certain files are earmarked as malicious when they are not.

File emulation is another manner in which antivirus software detects virus infection. What occurs with this approach is that a program is run and the software monitors the actions of the software. Based upon these actions, the antivirus software can determine if the program is safe to your computer or if it is malicious and should be removed. This method has some disadvantages. Occasionally, sometimes the antivirus software can incorrectly mark a program as a virus when in fact it is not.

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