Programmers advise to install antivirus software not only on personal computers, but also smartphones and tablets. Such integrated approach helps to protect better the available files and personal information. There are several types of the applications differing in functionality.
What is the antivirus software?
Each user of the laptop, computer or smartphone is familiar with such type of programs as antiviral programs. They can be delivered complete with the software or be got in addition at the request of the owner of the equipment. In broad understanding the antivirus software are special applications which functions are detection of computer viruses and malicious applications, recovery of the files infected with them and performance of preventive actions according to prevention of infection. They can be applied as to private use, and corporate.
What action of the antivirus software is based on?
The modern market of protective applications for the personal computer abounds with programs for every taste and a purse. However, despite the available variety, any means of anti-virus protection works by the identical principle:
- Specialists of the developer company constantly study codes of virus and malicious applications, forming own database. This process is continuous as daily hackers develop all new types of threats therefore users should not ignore the offered updates.
- Antivirus software scan files of the computer, comparing their codes to the values which are available in base of malicious software.
- At full or partial coincidence of the code the program suggests the user to make the necessary action. This or full removal of the found virus, or its moving to a special directory under the name a quarantine is frequent.
What functions can antivirus software have?
Having dealt with what antivirus software are intended for, it is necessary to dwell upon their main and additional functions. In modern annexes to them it is possible to carry:
- Protection against the entering threats in real time. The program will scan every second the arriving files, the connected carriers and other.
- Scanning of all available files or certain sectors and areas in the set schedule and off-schedule at the request of the user.
- Firewall or protection against unauthorized access from the Internet.
- Anti-banner. A banner call persuasive blockers of the screen. They can bear in themselves as an advertisement, and to completely block the computer, demanding to pay a certain sum on the specified details for its unblocking.
- Some free antiviral programs and many paid versions are capable to find vulnerabilities in already established or only bought ON and to notify on such weak points.
- Possibility of enciphering of important information on certain sectors of the hard drive.
- Blocking of access to the dangerous websites (including option of parental control).
- The website double created by swindlers for obtaining personal data of the user helps to distinguish function of an anti-phishing to the program: passwords, these cards.
- Function of decrease of the activity.
Requirements to antivirus software
For high-quality work the good antivirus has to have the following characteristics:
- Cross-platform or ability to work at various types of the operating systems created as for computers, and smartphones and tablets.
- The large companies of the utility surely have the server functions available to specialists of IT department.
- Continuity and stability of work. Such important application has to run smoothly for ensuring reliable protection of the device.
- Quality of virus base. The utility has to distinguish constantly different types of threats including the newest. For realization of continuous updating and expansion of base the antiviral program Kaspersky has not one dozen programmers-analysts to whose duties the continuous search of threats and ways of their neutralization belongs in the state.
- Speed of work and volumes of the involved system resources. The quicker the program will work and is random access memory less, the better.
- Existence of the additional functions ensuring high-quality functioning of the user. It is possible to carry a possibility of recovery of the infected file by means of removal to them from it only true ON.
Types of antivirus software
It is possible to distinguish several versions from all antivirus software presented at the market. Their difference will be as in the available functionality, and features of work. Many of them can be integrated in one complex product. The conventional classification of antivirus software includes the following types:
- The detectors finding the infected files at scanning inclusion.
- The doctors or a phage curing files of infections.
- Filters which are called still watchmen or monitors.
- The auditors comparing a condition of a system to the available data, recognized safe.
- Vaccines which still are called the immunizator which showed the low level of efficiency and a little used.
Programs detectors
Practically the simplest anti-virus scanner is a detector. Such program for the schedule or at start of scanning analyzes data of hard drives and removable carriers, comparing them to codes of the known malicious applications and viruses. At coincidence detection the system gives the corresponding message to the user. A lack of the utility is that it finds only those viruses which already are in the database. Such type of antivirus software practically does not meet independently. More often they combine also functions of doctors.
Programs doctors
Not only to find, but also programs vaccines are capable to neutralize a virus. They are called still by doctors or phage. Such utilities, as well as detectors, at first scan a system and delete the found malicious software in random access memory. If the virus affected a certain file of the user or a system, then the utility is capable to cure it. The application is deleted by virus body (certain program code) from the file without change of its contents. Such type of programs needs regular updating for expansion of base of codes of the known viruses too.
Programs auditors
So-called auditors are considered as more reliable type of programs. After installation on ON they remember an initial condition of catalogs, system areas of disks and programs in not infected state. Then periodically (often after start of OS) or at the request of the user compare the following these systems to initial:
- file size;
- code of cyclic control;
- date and time of change and other parameters.
All differences are reflected in the report on check. Utilities with different algorithms which are able to define changes of the version of the program from the changes brought by malicious software belong to such antivirus software. One of the most known programs auditors is the utility the Kaspersky monitor.
Programs filters
For detection of suspicious actions on the computer there are special programs guarding or filters. Such antiviral program in real time traces:
- changes of files with the exe expansions. and com.
- attempts of replacement of file attributes;
- record on the hard drive to the absolute address or in the boot sector;
- loading and installation of new programs.
Detection of viruses at the earliest stages of infection belongs to advantages of utilities. However, they have also shortcomings:
- The majority of such utilities are not capable to neutralize the found viruses.
- There is a certain persistence even at change of a name of the program by the user.
- Utilities can clash with other installed applications.
Programs monitors
Special kind of programs monitors is the firewall. It is called still by a firewall or the network screen. Such the application provides the personal computer safe connection with the Internet and local network, blocks dangerous and unauthorized penetrations from network into the user data and connections to it of third-party programs. Such utility is built in practically all operating systems. Besides, the user can adjust it independently, adding the necessary programs to exceptions and protecting the data which are in a cloud.
Rating of antivirus software
For each specific user the program for detection of computer viruses is selected individually, proceeding from requirements and features of work on the personal computer. There are conventional leaders of the industry whose installation is recommended by most of programmers as for private, and corporate use. These are the following antivirus software:
- Kaspersky Internet Security – one of leaders in the market of antivirus software. Reliably protects from all network threats. There is a free trial version – 30 days. The annual subscription will cost the private user $30.
- Avast Free Antivirus is the free application at private use from the Czech company with broad functionality from the behavioural analysis before check of Wi-fi network.
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition – after downloading of the application is necessary registration, but the private user should not pay for use of the program. Users appreciate the utility various functionality and intuitive use.
- Norton Security is a complex antivirus with with a multilevel security system from all known threats. There is a function of proactive protection. The cost of annual use on one personal computer – $10.
- Avira Antivirus Pro is an antivirus with the three-stage system of protection and heuristic approach in detection of programs encoders. The cost of the license for 12 months is $23.
How many antivirus software have to be on the computer?
To avoid many troubles when using the personal computer, the program for detection of viruses on the device is installed only one. At placement of several programs can be:
- Problems with device performance. For work the antiviral program needs resources and considerable. Several such applications will demand from the computer practically all volume of random access memory because of what the device will just freeze up.
- Conflicts of programs and fight for files. At data validation the antiviral programs will clash among themselves that can lead to blocking of the user information and decline in production.
- Attempts to regard rival programs as a virus and aspiration to remove all its files.
How to disconnect the antivirus software?
When performing some operations, for example, start of the video game, the program can interfere an antivirus with work of other applications therefore it needs to be disconnected. It is possible to make it for ever or for a certain time. It is necessary for suspension of work:
- To click with the right mouse button on an icon of the program and in the appeared window to choose the Turn Off Protection on. or Suspend on … command.
- To choose the necessary period of time.
For blackout costs:
- To open the main application menu.
- To find the control point and in the list to disconnect all unnecessary components.
Whether it is possible not to use the antivirus software?
In all modern operating systems the built-in means of protection are installed. There is a special antivirus of Windows Defender for the platform of the same name performing basic functions of safety. On assurances of many professionals, its arsenal is not enough for ensuring full safety during the work on the Internet and with a large number of removable carriers therefore it is worth establishing the third-party defender, for example, the Grizzly antivirus. At rare use of the personal computer it is possible to trust in work of the system application.