Antivirus

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Antivirus

Antivirus is a software program that detects, prevents, and removes malware, such as viruses and trojans, from a computer system. It protects the system by monitoring and scanning files and programs for suspicious activity or known malicious code.

What does Antivirus mean?

An antivirus, or an anti-malware, is a program specifically designed to deter, detect, and remove malicious Software, commonly known as viruses, from a computer system. These often malicious intrusions are unsolicited and may cause harm to the system’s hardware, software, or data. Antivirus software employs various methods, such as scanning, signature matching, and heuristic analysis to safeguard computers from these threats. They perform scheduled scans to detect viruses and quarantine or remove infected files to prevent further damage.

Applications

Antivirus software is crucial in today’s digital realm due to the increasing prevalence of malware and cyber threats. It offers several Key applications:

  • Prevention: Antivirus software continuously scans incoming files, emails, and websites to detect and Block viruses before they infect the system. By rejecting or quarantining suspicious files, they prevent malicious software from gaining a foothold.

  • Detection: Antivirus software uses advanced algorithms and techniques to analyze files and search for known malware signatures. They compare files against a database of known malicious patterns to identify and flag suspicious activities or infected files.

  • Removal: Once viruses or malware are detected, antivirus software can neutralize, clean, or remove them from the system. This helps to eradicate threats and restore the system to a healthy state.

  • Real-Time Protection: Modern antivirus software provides real-time protection, constantly monitoring system activity and scanning files as they are accessed or downloaded. This proactive approach ensures continuous defense against emerging threats.

History

The antivirus concept emerged in the mid-1970s when computer viruses first became prevalent. In 1974, the first antivirus program known as “The Reaper” was created by John McAfee and Wayne Green to combat the Creeper Virus. However, it was in the 1980s with the rise of the PC industry that antivirus software gained widespread recognition.

  • 1984: The first commercially successful antivirus software, “Norton AntiVirus,” was introduced by Peter Norton.

  • 1990s: The antivirus industry saw significant growth with the emergence of signature-based detection and heuristic analysis techniques.

  • 2000s: Antivirus software evolved to include real-time scanning, behavior-based detection, and Cloud-based threat intelligence sharing.

  • 2010s: Antivirus software became more advanced with the introduction of machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence to enhance threat detection and prevention capabilities.