Understanding and Choosing Antivirus Software | Computer ...

Article by michaelstorms

By now, everyone who has a computer knows they need some kind of antivirus protection. Otherwise it?s only a matter of time before your super fast, super expensive laptop becomes infected and you end up with a heap of techno trouble on your hands. But are all antivirus programs the same? How do you tell which program is the right choice? Which offers the level of protection you need? Choosing the right antivirus software is easier said than done.

There are dozens of antivirus programs available for purchase or download and each of them offers some level of protection from viruses. However, they are not all created equal and just because two programs share a category name does not mean they perform the same functions or offer equal levels of protection. Here are some tips to help you determine which antivirus program will offer you the most protection and meet your needs.

First it?s important to know what a computer virus is. In simple terms, a computer virus is any program designed to replicate itself as a means of survival. Hence the term virus. Just like a biological virus a computer viruses only goal is to spread. It does so by attaching itself to critical operating files and embedding its code in your operating system and then transferring itself from one computer to the next. Viruses are designed to carry out a variety of functions from stealing passwords and sensitive information to generally reeking havoc on the computer system itself. Regardless of how diligent you are, if you use the internet, email or any other source of shared electronic information chances are you will be attacked at least once by a virus.

So how do you stop a virus cold in its tracks? Medicine. And the antibiotics of the digital world are antivirus security software. The term antivirus or security software implies a barrier of protection surrounding your data and files. However, there are many types of antivirus functions offering varying degrees of protection.

Antivirus scanning is a program function which quickly checks all incoming and outgoing files for potential threats. Most commonly associated with email servers and programs such as gmail and Yahoo antivirus scanners only search for viruses on files that are being exchanged with another system at any given moment. Therefore they do not scan your entire system looking for viruses which may already be present, they only search new files that are being sent or received. While this level of protection is important, especially if you email a great deal of files, it is not a complete antivirus solution and should not be considered enough protection on its own.

Virus sweeping software is what most people think of when they hear antivirus. Virus sweepers perform routine searches of your computers existing files looking for infections and viruses. Most virus sweep software on the market today then takes steps to remove or quarantine the virus so that it can not infect your computer further. This is a more complete individual solution to antivirus protection as it regularly seeks out and destroys viral threats on your system keeping your computer up and running. Some popular antivirus software choices that incorporating virus sweeping include well known names like Norton, McAfee, AVG, and NOD32.

Many antivirus programs also offer an anti-spyware function as well. Spyware is a form of a computer virus that performs unauthorized actions on your computer. If you have ever downloaded a free program and ended up with a nasty pop up browser window or new internet explorer toolbar you?ve experienced a type of spyware. More dangerous spywares access critical files on your computer to hack and manipulate programs such as email and online banking programs. Not all antivirus programs are equipped with spyware functions as well, so be careful when choosing an antivirus program that?s right for you.

Now that you know the different functions of antivirus software you will be better prepared to choose an antivirus solution that is right for you. It?s important to remember that there is no one perfect solution.

Source: http://www.fnetf.com/2012/02/understanding-and-choosing-antivirus-software/

the walking dead turkey map walter isaacson walter isaacson zodiac killer battlefield 3 review battlefield 3 review