Antivirus software is among the most powerful tools you can use to guard your device. As threats to your devices grow increasingly sophisticated, it’s essential to know how antivirus software functions. This way, you can make an informed decision about the best antivirus software for you.
How Does Antivirus Software Work?
Antivirus software generally operates using two basic principles. The first is that it scans the files and programs when they arrive on your device and then examines them against known viruses, or it checks applications already installed on your device, searching for any suspicious activity. The most reliable antivirus software, like the ones that we have listed below, does both. Furthermore, the majority of antiviruses come with tools to eliminate or block off malware that is causing problems.
What Is Antivirus Software?
As the name implies, antivirus software is specifically designed to stop viruses. It accomplishes this by using three parts:
- Looking for viruses
- Detecting viruses
- Removing viruses
Do You Need Antivirus Software?
As we explain in our guide to digital security, Your device must be protected from malware to be well. Actually, malware-related threats are more widespread than they have ever been. Between 2009 and 2019, for instance, the number of malware infections grew from more than 12 million to more than 812 million – an increase of over 6,500 percent.1 Due to this surge, many devices now come with anti-malware and antivirus software.
However, these programs do not typically protect against all threats there. There is a chance that you could be exposed to adware, phishing as well as emails that are scams. The bottom line is that you should still use antivirus software even if the device is equipped with some security features.
Do Windows 10 Devices Need Antivirus?
Windows has been, for a long time, the main target of malware, if for any other reason other than the fact that more Windows devices are in use than any other type of computer. As of December, 75 percent of computers in the world were running a variant of Windows.2 It’s not a surprise then to learn that AV-Test Institute registers 350,000 new malware-related items and potentially unwanted programs (PUAs) targeted at Windows devices each day.
Because of the sheer number of threats, Windows 10 has built-in antivirus software dubbed Windows Defender (or Microsoft Defender Antivirus). Naturally, this program provides some security against malware. It’s just that Defender isn’t on our list of the top antivirus programs. It’s one reason is that it doesn’t offer endpoint protection. Also, it can’t automate investigation as well as remediation. In the end, even if you do have Defender, you’ll need to add additional protection. We’ve compiled a collection of the top antivirus programs for Windows.
Do Macs Need Antivirus?
There are far fewer Macs around the globe in comparison to Windows devices. In comparison to Windows, which has a 76 percent worldwide percentage of the market, Macs are less than 16 percent.4. In the end, Macs aren’t a huge attack target for hackers. Furthermore, every Mac comes with two tools that are designed to stop malware from entering the system:
XProtect They have an anti-malware software that they developed, XProtect, which inspects every application for indications of problems.
Gatekeeper Also, Macs include Gatekeeper, software that makes it virtually impossible for users to run any program in the absence of a licensed developer who created it.
However, the landscape is changing according to what we have highlighted in our article about Mac antivirus. Perhaps the most significant of the modifications is the fact that Macs are more sought-after. Actually, Mac shipments grew by nearly 40 percent by 2020.5 Since they’ve increased their presence in the marketplace, they’ve become a more frequent attack target for hackers. In its report on 2021, Malwarebytes found over 75 million malware threats targeted specifically at Macs.6 With such figures, it’s definitely not going to be a bad idea to include third-party antivirus.
In the end, Macs, for all their security features, aren’t without vulnerabilities. Particularly, they do not completely block all adware or PUPs (potentially unwanted software). Our guide to the top antivirus software for Macs provides excellent advice on how to patch these vulnerabilities and defend against the increasing threat of malware.
Also Read 5 Best Antivirus Software for Chromebooks in 2023
Do Chromebooks Need Antivirus?
Similar to Macs, however, Chromebooks aren’t so popular with the general populace, like Windows, which has a 2 percent market share globally, which means that hackers don’t invest more time developing malware for Chromebooks. Furthermore, Chromebooks take an entirely different approach to dealing with malware. Its Chromebook OS is based on the open-source, nearly free-of-bugs Linux system. Additionally, Chromebooks have several built-in security options.
Of these among them, the “sandboxing” feature keeps every application and website distinct from the rest of the system so that, if there is a problem, it’s completely isolated. However, as we’ve noted in our article on Chromebooks with antivirus, Chromebooks are not without vulnerabilities. They are particularly susceptible to scams involving phishing, insecure websites, fake apps, and fake extensions for browsers. Users who are concerned about security may want to buy antivirus software that addresses these concerns.
Do Androids Need Antivirus?
In general, smartphones are less vulnerable to viruses than computers or laptops are.7 This is due to the fact that they’re more dedicated to applications. Android gadgets, for instance, will encourage users to download their apps from the Google Play Store, and Google examines their apps against malware prior to making them available for download. Furthermore, Android devices use Chrome as their default browser, and Chrome is protected by security built-in.
In reality, Android users have more freedom to download applications from third-party providers in comparison to iOS customers. As we have discussed in our article on removing Android malware, these applications can be infected with malware. Furthermore, due to the large number of app submissions Google receives, applications that contain malware have passed through the process of screening into the Google Play Store. In the early part of 2020, for instance, Google warned users about numerous apps that are available within its library.8 It’s true that, if you’re looking at such numbers, you must install the most effective Android security software on your smartphone.
Do iOS Devices Need Antivirus?
Apple mobile devices, including iPads and iPhones, are the only ones that don’t require antivirus software. Each application that you download and install on your iOS device has to be downloaded directly through the App Store. Because Apple is a strict screener for these apps, it’s theoretically impossible to download any malware-laden app on these devices. Also, as with Chromebooks, iOS devices isolate each app to ensure that a virus cannot transfer between different devices.
Also Read 5 Best Antivirus Software for Chromebooks in 2023
Do Antivirus and Anti-Malware Mean the Same Thing?
Although “antivirus” and “anti-malware” aren’t necessarily identical things, many people make use of them interchangeably. In its original meaning, “antivirus” refers to the kind of software that is specific to specifically designed to stop infections. “Virus” means a program that replicates itself by taking on programs that are not its own and then taking control over them.9 “Malware” is a more broad term that refers to any type of harmful software. A virus is one type of malware. However, many types of malware are viruses. Our guide to security for antivirus points out there are other kinds of malware:
Spyware: Spyware software infiltrates your device to collect your data about you.
Ransomware: Ransomware hijacks your device and prevents access to your files or programs until you pay the ransom.
Adware: Adware monitors your online activity and displays specific ads.
Just What Is a Virus, and How Does It Work?
In the beginning, the word “virus” referred to a particular kind of infection that infects devices and then replicates itself by attacking other programs and then inserting its code. It typically alters the way that these programs operate. Since its behavior resembles a human virus, early programmers decided that they would label it”virus. “virus.”
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that targets devices.10 According to the name, the goal of this malware is to extort ransom money from the users. When it is infected on the device, it will block programs and files by encryption so that users aren’t able to access them. Users can be locked out completely of their devices without encryption. Users will then receive messages that offer the decryption code or access to their devices in exchange for ransom cash.
How Does Antivirus Software Identify and Prevent Malware?
Antivirus and anti-malware software employ diverse methods to detect and block malicious software from infecting your device, for example:
Signature-based detection: Signature-based detection is among the oldest types of protection against malware. It compares the files that are downloaded into devices with malware that is known in search of signature matches. In order for the software to be efficient, the antivirus database must be up-to-date with the most recent malware.
Heuristic-based detection Heuristic-based detection is akin to signature-based detection because it checks files that are being downloaded and programs for traces of known malware. While signature detection is looking for precise matches, heuristic analysis is looking for similar trends or patterns in the code of a file. In the end, it detects the malware signature detection that might have been missed.
Behavior-based detection: This type of detection looks at how software and files operate in search of anything that is that isn’t normal.
Can Antivirus Software Stop Hackers?
Antivirus software is an effective security measure against hackers. A lot of hacking attacks employ malware to take the information of your PII (personally identified data) or to encrypt your programs and files for ransom. A good anti-malware program can stop these types of attacks. However, hackers can use other ways of stealing your data, including stealing your internet connection or gaining access points for your PII. So, while you should use antivirus software to safeguard yourself, you also need additional tools to protect yourself, such as the use of a VPN. For a comprehensive list of ways to guard yourself against identity hacking and theft, read our post about how antivirus can stop hackers.
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