What are antivirus programs and how do they work?

Developments in antivirus software have been substantial lately, and there's a greater need for it now more than ever. You've probably heard about antivirus programs; they've been a staple since the early '90s on every personal computer.

Even when employing top-notch online safety practices, like avoiding clicking suspicious links or email attachments, refraining from visiting dubious websites, and sticking to app stores for your devices, you might think you don't need antivirus protection. However, there are dedicated efforts to secure and protect your system and device.

What is antivirus software? 

Antivirus software, or anti-malware software, is a tool that seeks out malicious applications operating on your computer (or smartphone) that shouldn't be there. It uses various methods to distinguish between the document (like Word) you're editing and malicious software that pops up annoying ads or steals your banking details. It can also determine when applications were compromised by a virus.

When antivirus software detects any malicious programs on your system, it usually offers isolation options that render them unable to function or completely deletes them. Although deletion ensures cleaning up your system, isolation also has its benefits. It makes it easier for antivirus programs to analyze threats and develop ways to better defend against them in the future.

How does antivirus software work? 

Antivirus programs have evolved significantly over the years. Initially, they were designed to target individual viruses, but today, there are countless variations of malicious programs. To combat this ever-changing threat landscape, antivirus software has evolved and broadened its scope. Modern antivirus software utilizes a combination of various tactics to help protect personal computers, Mac devices, as well as your smartphones and private networks.

Methods Used by Antivirus Software:

01. Signature-Based Analysis:

Signature-based analysis is among the most tested and experimented methods in virus and malware protection. This analysis searches for a specific digital code of the virus when it adds, isolates, or deletes it. It works like a fingerprint for the virus. On the positive side, once a virus is recognized, it can be added to a locally stored or cloud-based signature database, accessible for system scans. The downside is its limited usefulness against new threats. Malicious software can infect at least one person or system before antivirus software can provide protection against it.

02. Behavioral Analysis:

Behavioral analysis is a cutting-edge technique in tracking viruses. Instead of examining the nature of the program, it monitors the behavior of software and its activities. For instance, the way a user operates specific applications or operating systems like Windows or MacOS performs quantifiable and relatively specific functions. Viruses and other malicious software, however, perform atypical functions, attempting to evade or bypass the solutions offered by antivirus programs. Behavioral analysis looks for such functions and isolates or deletes them upon detection. While there's a higher margin for error compared to signature-based analysis, it's a critical element in antivirus protection. Ransomware attacks that encrypt files and demand payment for decryption necessitate extremely swift responses, where signatures alone may not be sufficient to stop them. Behavioral analysis, such as that provided by BitDefender, can detect and halt encryption, sometimes even reversing it.

03. Machine Learning:

Teaching computers how to do something has historically been challenging and time-consuming. However, machine learning enables computers to teach themselves more efficiently. This is precisely what antivirus software learns to provide a vital layer of modern protection against malware. Antivirus software using machine learning can analyze application code and determine, based on its understanding of malicious and benign programs, whether a program is harmful. It's an artificial intelligence solution that, when used in conjunction with other security protocols, has proven highly effective against both new and old threats.

04. Some Antivirus Suggestions:

Choosing the right antivirus software is akin to any other technological decision. Downloading outdated protection can expose you to more significant risks. Some preferred antivirus programs include BitDefender’s Antivirus Free Edition, Avast Free Antivirus, and Kaspersky. Among the standout solutions, MalwareBytes is considered one of the best, providing protection against all types of threats. Additionally, web-active protection programs help steer you completely away from suspicious websites.