The antivirus software protects your computer from phishing scams, malware and other malicious files which steal information or slow down your computer. These programs scan your pc for such threats and remove the threats if they are found, and some include additional security features, like firewalls to guard against attacks from the network. Some are free, whereas others require a monthly subscription fee for complete protection.
When choosing antivirus software make sure you select a program that makes use of minimal resources so that it doesn’t slow your system when you perform scans for viruses or other tasks. Searching in the program’s search function to locate user reviews can help you determine which ones are efficient and don’t take up a lot of memory, disk space or other resources.
The most effective antivirus software will detect viruses with accuracy and speed. They can use a combination of techniques, including specific detection, which looks for known viruses; general detection, which can identify parts or types of malware as well as heuristic detection which analyzes behavior to detect suspicious patterns. If a virus is discovered, the program will isolate it from other files or programs, block access to it and erase it. Some programs will show an alert that indicates the threat has been identified or eliminated.
If you are looking for the best antivirus software, think about one that provides additional security such as parental controls as well as a cloud scanner and ransomware security. Other features include a money-back assurance or free trial, compatibility across multiple platforms, frequent updates and customer assistance.