Vírusvarnarforrit

Vírusvarnarforrit, commonly known as antivirus software, is a type of computer program designed to prevent, detect, and remove malicious software. This malicious software, often referred to as malware, can include viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware. The primary goal of antivirus software is to protect a computer system from these threats, which can cause damage to data, steal sensitive information, or disrupt normal computer operations.

Antivirus programs work by scanning files and programs on a computer for known patterns of malicious code, called signatures. When a new threat emerges, security researchers analyze it and create a new signature that is added to the antivirus software's database. The software then uses this database to identify and neutralize threats. Many antivirus programs also employ heuristic analysis, which looks for suspicious behavior or characteristics of code that might indicate a new, previously unknown threat. Real-time protection is a key feature, allowing the software to monitor activities as they happen and block potential threats before they can execute. Regular updates to the virus definition database are crucial for ensuring the antivirus software can detect the latest threats.