Ever wonder if antivirus software is worth the investment or the time it takes to get a free download transferred onto a machine? Consider the growing number of identity theft cases and the ever-increasing number of malware threats and the answer becomes clear. Anyone who owns a computer and goes online or transfers files really does need antivirus software.
The question many have, however, is just how this software works? What can a program like Norton AntiVirus download, for example, do for a computer that even a tech savvy owner might not be able to?
Take a look at the two main functions of antivirus software and it becomes obvious that doing it all manually would be troublesome at best and inefficient to say the least. Here are the two functions that make antivirus software worth the time and expense:
- By installing a library of known threats – Many antivirus software programs are designed to provide their users with access to a library of known threats. This library serves to program a computer for files it should be wary of. When a known threat is detected, the antivirus program will typically alert the user and flag the files for action, such as quarantine or safe removal. The libraries in antivirus packages are typically updated by the software company on a regular basis to ensure that the latest threats on the Internet are defended against. Some of the threats antivirus programs are designed to watch out for include not only viruses, but also Trojans, worms, bots, rootkits and more.
- Constant scanning – Decent antivirus software will also constantly scan a computer and its activity for anything that it deems suspicious. When suspicious activity is detected, the program will alert the user about the concern.
Another potential benefit of some antivirus software packages lies in the inclusion of a firewall. Think of this as a barrier that is thrown up around a computer. When a firewall is activated, users can send information out, but unwanted files or actions that are incoming to a machine are typically locked out. Programs such as those found in the Norton family are designed to provide a “quiet” two-way firewall. This means that the firewall operates in the background without necessarily bogging down a system.
Antivirus software sometimes gets a bad rap for slowing down machines. The reality is the number of threats now found online and even through offline file sharing make this type of software package a must. Here is the latest about Norton AntiVirus.
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