Antivirus 101: How it Works and Why you need it
Computers, smartphones, and other devices are essential tools for our personal and professional lives. However, they are also vulnerable to various types of malwares, that can compromise our data, privacy, and security. One of the most common and dangerous types of malwares is a virus, which is a program that can infect and damage files on a device. In this article, we will explain how antivirus software can protect your device from viruses and malware, and what are some best practices to keep your device safe and secure.
What is a
Virus and How Does It Affect Your Device?
A virus is a
type of malware that can attach itself to file and execute its code when the
host file is run. A virus can have various harmful effects, such as taking over
the device completely. A virus can also spread to other devices through downloads.
Some
examples of well-known viruses are:
-
ILOVEYOU: This virus was spread through email attachments in 2000 and
infected millions of computers worldwide. It overwritten various files and sent
copies of itself to all contacts in the user's address book.
- Stuxnet:
This virus was discovered in 2010 and targeted industrial control systems,
especially those related to Iran's nuclear program. It caused physical damage
to the centrifuges used for uranium enrichment by altering their speed and
operation.
- WannaCry: This virus was unleashed in 2017 and exploited a vulnerability in
Windows operating systems. It encrypted the user's data and demanded a ransom
for its decryption. It affected hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150
countries.
How Does
Antivirus Software Protect Your Device?
Antivirus
software is a program that can detect, prevent, and remove viruses and other
malware from your device. Antivirus software works by scanning your device's
memory, files, and programs for any signs of malware, and deleting them.
Antivirus software can also provide real-time protection by monitoring your
device's activities and network connections for malicious behavior.
Antivirus
software can use different methods to identify malware, such as:
-
Signature-based detection: This method compares the code of the scanned programs
with a database of known malware patterns of bytes. If a match is found, program
is flagged as malware.
- Heuristic-based detection: This method analyses the behavior and
characteristics of the scanned programs, and looks for any indicators of
malware, such as attempts to modify system settings. If a program exhibits any
malicious behavior, it is flagged as malware.
- Machine
learning-based detection: This method uses artificial intelligence and
statistical models to learn from previous malware samples and detect unknown
malware variants. It can also adapt to the changing tactics and techniques of
malware creators.
What are
the Benefits of Using a Reputable Antivirus Software?
Using a
reputable antivirus software can provide several benefits for your device and
data security, such as:
- Reducing
the risk of data theft: Antivirus software can prevent malware from stealing
your data, such as bank details. This can save you from becoming a victim of fraud.
- Improving
the device performance and stability: Antivirus software can remove malware
that can cause errors crashes. This can improve your device's speed,
efficiency, and reliability, and enhance your user experience.
-
Protecting your online privacy and safety: Antivirus software can block
malware that can access your microphone. It can also warn you of any downloads
that can compromise your online security.
What are
Some Best Practices to Keep Your Device Protected?
In addition
to using a reputable antivirus software, you should also follow some best
practices to keep your device protected from viruses and malware, such as:
- Updating
your software regularly: You should update your operating system,
applications, and antivirus software regularly to fix any vulnerabilities that
can be exploited by malware. You can check for updates manually.
- Applying
security patches: You should apply any fixes that are released by your
software developers to address any urgent security issues. You can check for
security patches on the official platforms of your software.
-
Performing regular scans: You should perform regular scans of your device
using your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware that may have bypassed
your real-time protection. You can perform them manually.
- Avoiding untrusted
sources: You should avoid links from untrusted sources, such as unknown
websites. You should also scan any removable media, such as CDs, before using
them on your device.
- Using
strong and unique passwords: You should use strong and unique passwords for
your device and online accounts and change them periodically. You should also
avoid sharing your passwords with anyone. You can use a password manager to
generate and store your passwords securely.
Antivirus
software is a vital tool for protecting your device from viruses and malware,
which can cause various damage and harm to your data, privacy, and security.
Antivirus software can detect, prevent, and remove malware using different
methods, and provide real-time protection for your device. You should also use
a reputable antivirus software and follow some best practices to keep your
device safe and secure. By doing so, you can enjoy your device and online
activities without worrying about malware threats.
Additional
Reliable sources to Read about Malwares and Tech Security
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