Microcomputer Services

Antivirus Software Overview

What is Antivirus Software?
Antivirus software is like any other program: you install it and run it as needed. More advanced antivirus programs can be configured to automatically scan your computer for viruses and update itself as well.

How Does it Work?
When a virus is discovered, technicians isolate it and attempt to analyze its code. This provides insights into how the virus is transmitted, what actions the virus may take when infecting a computer (and how to repair any damaged caused), how to remove it, and ultimately how to detect it.

Because every virus is a small program, it contains unique code, much like a research paper contains unique combinations of words and phrases. Antivirus companies examine the virus code and use its unique "words and phrases" as a method of identification, somewhat like a fingerprint. These fingerprints are then combined into one large database, often called "virus definitions".

When an antivirus program checks your computer for viruses, it compares the contents of each file on your computer to each virus in its database. If it finds a match, generally a virus is present.

An estimated 200 new viruses a month are unleashed on the world, and while few spread very far the potential for data loss is high. Since antivirus programs rely on their virus definition databases of known viruses, it is crucial that users update these virus definitions; the security that antivirus software provides is inversely proportional to the age of the virus definitions.

What does this mean? Update your virus definitions at least once a week! Most companies release updates once a week, with additional updates as necessary if a new, malicious virus is detected.

For more information on specific antivirus software packages, see our Antivirus page.