Viirusetõrjed

Viirusetõrjed, commonly translated as antivirus software, are computer programs designed to prevent, detect, and remove malicious software, also known as malware. Malware encompasses a broad range of threats including viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware. These programs operate by scanning files and processes on a computer system for known patterns of malicious code, often referred to as signatures. When a suspicious item is detected, the antivirus software can quarantine it, delete it, or attempt to repair the infected file.

Modern antivirus solutions often go beyond simple signature-based detection. They incorporate heuristic analysis, which examines program behavior for suspicious activities that might indicate new or unknown malware. Real-time protection is a key feature, continuously monitoring system activity in the background to prevent infections before they can take hold. Many also offer web protection to block malicious websites, email scanning to detect infected attachments, and firewall integration for network security.

The effectiveness of antivirus software depends on several factors, including the regular updating of its virus definitions to recognize the latest threats, the comprehensiveness of its scanning engines, and the user's adherence to safe computing practices. While antivirus software is a crucial component of cybersecurity, it is not a foolproof solution and should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as strong passwords, regular software updates, and caution when opening email attachments or downloading files from untrusted sources.