Antivirus software is a type of program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware from computer systems. Its primary functions include:
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Malware Detection: Antivirus software scans files and software on a computer to identify malicious code or suspicious behaviors. This can involve signature-based detection, where known malware signatures are checked against files, or heuristic analysis, which looks for behaviors indicative of malware.
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Real-time Protection: Many antivirus programs offer real-time scanning, monitoring files as they are opened, executed, or downloaded, to catch threats immediately before they can cause harm.
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System Scanning: Users can initiate scans of entire systems or specific files and directories to identify and remove malware that may have evaded real-time protection.
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Quarantine and Removal: When malware is detected, the antivirus software can quarantine the affected files to prevent them from running, and then either automatically remove them or provide the user with options for handling them.
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Updates: Antivirus software regularly updates its virus definitions and malware databases to recognize and protect against the latest threats.
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Firewall Protection: Some antivirus solutions include a firewall component that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic to block unauthorized access and attacks.
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Web Protection: Many antivirus programs offer browser protection features, warning users about potentially dangerous websites or blocking downloads of malicious files.
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Email Protection: Antivirus software can scan incoming and outgoing emails to identify and block malicious attachments or links.
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System Performance Monitoring: Some antivirus programs provide tools to monitor the overall health and performance of the computer, helping to identify system vulnerabilities.
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User Education: Many antivirus solutions offer educational resources to help users understand how to avoid malware infections and practice safe computing habits.
Overall, antivirus software plays a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of computer systems against various types of cyber threats.