Everything you need to know about antivirus

Everything you need to know about antivirus

Antivirus utility is a software that eliminates and removes malware on computer devices, network systems. Viruses might not be a worry to some of you but in this modern world when most of our jobs are done on computers it is important for a user to be aware of the threats they can cause to your information. Recently Ransomware attacks around the world have proved how viruses can cause harm to our privacy and data.

In this article, we are going to discuss about viruses and what measures you can take to be on the safer side. Like diseases that take the lives of many people worldwide, so viruses affect computers worldwide too, I mean you won't know how severe it is unless your computer is infected by one.

What are viruses? Should I be worried?

Viruses are malicious code that is specially designed to harm your computer devices. Most of the computer viruses affect your computer when you are browsing the internet like when you visit a site which is not safe like in websites where you have lots of pop-ups, and you see all kinds of windows opening by themselves, or if you go searching for pirated software and the like. They are also transmitted through flash drives or when you borrow software from a friend whose computer was infected. I had this problem many times but gladly I happen to know about antivirus software as a kid so, I did not have much problems.

Note: According to me Antivirus is also a virus but it aims to kill the viruses instead.

History of viruses.

The early beginnings of viruses date back to 1971 when the first computer virus called "Creeper", it was written by Bob Thomas of BBN technologies it spread through DEC PDP-10 computers on the ARPAnet. The first attempt to make an antivirus was done by Ray Tomlinson who made the Reaper to delete the Creeper.

Also, Brain, created in Pakistan in 1986, was the first PC virus to be found in the wild.

As times have changed the technology behind viruses have been improvised too. New viruses have come up. 

Through the 1980s antivirus software started to emerge and up till this date, there is a whole line of Antiviruses that you could use to protect your pc or mac.

Antivirus software was designed to detect and remove viruses from computers, antiviruses now can protect your computer against threats like a keylogger, Spyware, Adware, botnets, Trojan horses, Worms, Ransomeware (These are names of viruses). You don't have to know everything about them but knowing them can be useful.

What does an Antivirus program do? 

An antivirus program runs in the background while your computer is powered on. It scans your computer and the ongoing memory process and other devices in search of viruses and malware. Many Anti-Viruses use REAL-TIME protection to protect your computer against present threats as they happen. You can also use them to scan any file manually too.

Basic functions of an Antivirus program are:

1. It repeatedly scans the user computer for rootkits, viruses and searching for any malicious pattern indicating the presence of Virus.

2. They also allow the user to scan specific files for different types of scans like Quick Scan, Full Scan, Rootkit scan and the like.

3. To remove any type of malicious software as it is detected. Either they will delete it automatically or inform the user about it.

Types of antivirus software:

Today modern Antivirus provides many ways to protect the user from various threats like firewall and the like. Some companies also provide protection for free, which include basic protection but most advanced features come with paid service. In the end, I will suggest you some antivirus and the one that I personally use.

1. Windows Antivirus software: Windows also includes an antivirus software that is inbuilt into windows, It is called Windows Defender it does offer basic protection you could use it but its protection is quite limited(No offense to Microsoft). Many vendors have two versions of their antivirus one for Windows and the other one for Mac. Nearly all antivirus is available for windows, protection starts basic like free ones and goes to advanced features for which you will have to pay a premium which is billed for one year per user. 

2.Mac os: Antivirus is also available for Mac users but they are less common as compared to Windows users, so antivirus products for macOS are less standardized than those of Windows. Mac users have a reason to be happy 😀😀😀. They also include free and paid protection as well.

How a virus is detected? 

Well, there are a lot of techniques used for that. Mostly they do signature-based detection to see malicious software. Antivirus software act on stored virus signatures- unique strings of data that can be a characteristic of known malware. The antivirus software uses these signatures to identify viruses when it encounters them which have already been identified and analyzed by security experts. They also use behavior-based technique to see if a program is behaving in an unusual manner or performs and unauthorized actions that indicate it as a virus.

There are many antivirus programs available for you to download. If you use an Apple computer you won't be needing it, but if you are windows user I would personally recommend Kaspersky free antivirus. I use if myself and with first-hand use, I can tell you that it is good. It is also available for Apple users as well.

Here is the link for you to download it free-one: https://www.kaspersky.co.in/downloads/thank-you/free-antivirus-download

Its premium version is not so costly so if you are considering to buy one Kaspersky would be the best choice. In India, it costs about Rs 480 per user for 1 year. In the US it would not be much too.

SOME WAYS YOU CAN PREVENT VIRUS ATTACKS:
1. ALWAYS UPDATE: ALWAYS update your operating systems, in Windows, we get it for free, so you should be doing it, install them and stay ahead of hackers and viruses.

2. AVOID CRACKED SOFTWARE: When I say cracked software I mean, paid versions of software that you get for free on the internet. If you know how to use it do it but anyway it's never a safe choice for the majority.

3. AVOID GOING TO MALICIOUS SITES: If your browser warns you about possible attacks them do not enter or browse that site, your computer might be at risk if you do so.

4. INSTALL AN ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM.: I GAVE YOU ALL THE RIGHT REASONS FOR DOING SO.

5. AVOID OPENING UNKOWN ATTACHMENTS IN EMAIL. 


Hurray! you have a good share of info about security today, If you have any doubts you can comment your thoughts. Pls, share it with your friends and family as well.

THANK YOU.