Antivirus protection software detects and blocks malware that can infiltrate digital systems of a business to take, misuse or corrupt data. It is compatible with many different devices including laptops, desktops and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets and also on connected home devices like smart TV or printer.
Modern antivirus software typically employs multiple detection methods to prevent one infection. Signature-based detection is a common method. This involves analyzing files for matches and keeping databases with distinct code snippets, known as malware signatures. If attackers alter malicious code to evade detection by signatures, they are considered polymorphic and require more advanced detection methods.
Heuristic-based detection is a more advanced technique. It aims to identify malware by identifying patterns that are unique to malicious code, like modifying and deleting large amounts of data, altering the settings of other programs or remotely connecting to computers. The use of algorithms for detection can cause anxiety about security alerts and needs to be carefully tuned to prevent false positives.
Look for a robust virus protection program that can deal with polymorphic malware, ransomware memory attacks, and other advanced threats. It should also be simple to deploy across a wide range of devices, including Macs and PCs, and work on various operating systems. Also, it should not use up too many system resources, since this can cause a slowdown in the performance of an individual device or cause computer crashes.