Antivirus software keeps your computer secure from malware, phishing scams, and other malicious files that steal information or cause slowdowns. These programs scan your pc for threats and eliminate them when they are discovered, and they also provide additional security features like firewalls that help to prevent network attacks. Certain programs are free while others require a subscription cost to ensure complete protection.
When choosing an antivirus program, choose a program which makes use of minimal system resources to ensure it doesn’t slow your computer when performing antivirus scans or other functions. You can use the search function of the application to find reviews from other users. This will allow you to determine whether the software is efficient and doesn’t use excessive memory and space on your hard drive or other resources.
The best antivirus software will detect viruses quickly and reliably. They employ a variety of methods, including specific detection which looks for known viruses, a generic detection which identifies parts and types of malware and heuristics detection that analyzes patterns to determine suspicious behavior. When a virus is detected, the program will isolate it from other files or programs and prevent access to it, and then delete it. Some programs will show an alert indicating that the threat has been identified or eliminated.
Those looking for the most secure antivirus software should consider one that offers additional security like an firewall, a cloud-based scanner, parental controls and ransomware defense. Other features include a free trial or money-back guarantee, compatibility with various devices, frequent updates and customer support.