Malicious codes are spread from contact with corrupted files. Most antivirus programs sold and marketed go beyond fighting computer malware to include other protective functions like password encryption, virtual private networks (VPN), child protection, etc.Īntivirus programs run continuously in the background protecting the computer each time it is at risk. The term antivirus now covers protection from all these other types of malicious codes.

These include keyloggers, worms, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, etc. Today, several other types of malicious codes can infect computers. This was the foundation of antivirus software, and since then, different companies have been founded that specializes in creating more sophisticated antivirus software. A second program, also a virus called The Reaper, was then created to target and eliminate the Creeper virus specifically. The first known computer virus appeared as early as 1971 and was termed the Creeper virus. See More: Top 10 Anti-Spyware in 2022 What does antivirus do?Īntivirus was initially designed to fight and protect computer systems from viruses. Antivirus programs are both proactive and reactive. Antivirus can also be seen as a class of computer programs used to scan, prevent, find, and eliminate viruses from a computer system or any other IT device. This includes the original computer virus and its evolution into other classes of malicious programs over the years. It describes any computer code that can infect and cause harm or dysfunction to the computer system. Malware is an umbrella term encompassing computer viruses. On that note, a computer antivirus can be defined as a computer program designed to prevent, detect and remove malware. They are codes that replicate themselves and make a nuisance to the smooth running of legitimate computer codes and files. Just like a biological virus enters the human body, makes copies of itself, and prevents normal bodily function, the same applies to computer viruses. The concept of computer viruses and antivirus platforms arose in the early 80s, although computer viruses existed before that.

Bitdefender full scan took 20 hours