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What are the Different Types of Anti Virus Software?
Before explaining an anti virus
software, let me define what a computer virus is and why is it
dangerous. A computer virus, as the name suggests, is a
parasitic program that purposely written and put in a users
computer without his consent or knowledge. Like a parasite, this
technical virus, gets attached to the various files or boot
sectors and starts to grow. This obviously leads to it being
spread all over the system at times causing severe damage. So,
if you get to know about any virus in your PC, immediately take
steps to eradicate it.
An anti virus software is a special program that is designed to
identify or detect these computer viruses or malicious software
and eliminate them. This can be done in a number of ways
including stopping the user from accessing the infected files or
informing him or her about the virus or completing cleaning
these from the files or the system.
What are the different kinds of
Computer Viruses ?
It is important to know all the types of computer viruses that
can affect us. Generally, the term is used to refer to all the
malware (malicious program) that also includes worms, virus and
Trojan horses. However, all these have certain differences
between them.
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Computer
virus The computer viruses get attached to the
files in a system and spread from one system to another when
these infected files are shared by the user. The virus needs a
host program to survive on the system. When the infected program
or files are accessed, the virus codes run. There are some
viruses that remain hidden in the system and is detected only
after a stipulated date or time. The computer virus can be
responsible for causing minor to major damage to all the files,
hardware and the boot.
Computer worms The
computer worms are also similar to the computer virus in the way
that once they enter the system, they start growing or
replicating. However, they do not need a host program to
survive. The worms can run and spread without the aid of any
file or program. They spread in the system at an immense speed
and cause the computer to crash in no time. |
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Trojan
horses These are also extremely destructive virus
that often comes in disguise of useful, innocent and informative
programs. These can be some hidden codes in some genuine
program, duping the user to run it and thus become infected. So,
these hidden applications are accessed without the users
knowledge. They can be responsible in damaging the files or even
causing some security leak that can lead to some unauthorized
access. However, like the previous two, Trojan horses do not
replicate themselves.
To choose the right kind of
antivirus software
To save the important files and the computer from the clutches
of these parasites, it is important to invest in a good anti
virus system. However, before you take a call on any of the
brands that are available in the market, remember to do some
homework. You will be surprised to know that the numbers of
computer viruses are growing every year and the newer ones are
more malicious than their forefathers. In the year 2003,
approximately seven new viruses were discovered each day; in the
year 2004, more than 10, 000 new viruses were unleashed. So, to
get maximum protection, use the anti virus software from the
most reputable publisher and get it upgraded at regular
intervals. Also, to nip this program at the bud, do not open or
access any suspicious file or attachments, even though they are
sent by your friends and family.
Things to remember before buying an
anti virus software
Choose from reputable brands. Do not be duped by any and every
publisher and run free downloads. A bad anti virus software can
cause more harm to your system.
Choose softwares are easy to install and handle and extremely
user friendly.
The software must contain features like real time protection,
identifying and preventing the malicious program from entering
the computer, scanning or reading all the incoming and outgoing
mails and instant messages and finally using advanced worm
stopping and script stopping technology.
Choose one that can be automatically updated at regular
intervals.
There must be a good technical support team, who can provide
assistance during any complication.
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The Top
Three Anti Virus Software
BitDefender AntiVirus v10
According to a survey conducted in September 2006 by Leading
Consumer Review Magazine, BitDefender AntiVirus v10 has been
voted as the number one anti virus software in todays market.
Priced at $29.95 for one PC for one year and $39.95 for two PCs
for two years, BitDefender comes with great features like 100%
detection of viruses, very high scanning speed and fairly low
system requirements. It can be worked on Windows XP, Me, 98 and
2000 with a requirement of a 350 MHz Processor.
The other features include:
Newly improved proactive detection This software uses the
B-HAVE or Behavioral Heuristic Analyzer in Virtual Environments
technology that keeps your system safe from all the unknown
viruses by identifying malicious pieces of code for which
signatures are still not released in the market. |
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Giving the user a permanent
antivirus protection The improved scanning engines of the software
detect the infected files and eradicate the virus with the least
amount of data loss. Unlike the older versions, the infected files
will not get deleted and can be retrieved.
Giving the user Peer-2-Peer and instant messaging protection
This also gives protection against the virus that is spread through
the transmission of infected files and instant messaging.
Rootkit identification and eradication Rootkits are those
harmful viruses that stay hidden in the system and take control of
the system. This is a new module that identifies the rootkits and
then clears them.
Web scanning For the user to enjoy browsing the web without
any worries of being infected by a virus, BitDefender has also added
this new module. The web traffic is first filtered in real time
before reaching the user.
Protection to the e-mails This software also filters all the
incoming and outgoing emails, irrespective of the e-mail client used
and without any additional configuration.
Moreover,
the other features are
Real time antispyware
Scanning of the spyware and removing them
Anti-dialer
Cookie control
The new BitDefender AntiVirus v10 is very user friendly, is updated
24 times in a day either through the internet or through a Proxy
server. To handle any queries and provide assistance, there is a
qualified team of professionals who can be accessed online 24/7.
BitDefender can boast of laurelses like Best Buy Award, 2006 (PC
World) and 4 Stars Award.
Norton Antivirus 2007
Norton Antivirus 2007 (published by Symantec), is also one of the
good antivirus software that can be used. Priced at $39.99 (for US
and Canada citizens), this software requires to operate on Windows
XP and a 300 MHz Processor. Norton had been the recipient of awards
like Best of the Year Award, 2004 (PC Magazine), Editors Choice
Award, 2004 (PC Magazine) and Shoppers Choice Award, 2004
(Consumer Shopper).
The features of the new and improved Norton
Antivirus 2007 include
Identifies the virus and spyware and cleans the system.
Automatically stops the virus and spyware before they get
installed in the system.
Scans and stops the infected e-mails from spreading.
Has a Rootkit protection that identifies the rootkits and
clears them.
Provides Peer-2-Peer and IM protection by scanning the
infected mails and instant messages and eradicating them.
The Internet Worm Protection stops the viruses, spyware and
other worms without asking for any specific threat signatures.
Performs a full scan of the system and hard disc and clears it
from all the malicious viruses.
McAfee VirusScan Plus
Priced at $39.99 (for one year), McAfee VirusScan is also a great
one to invest in for protection against the virus. It operates on
Windows XP, 2000 and requires a 300 MHz Processor. It has bagged
prizes like Smart Choice (Smart Computing) and 4 Stars Award (PC
Magazine) and comes with features like:
Protects the system against anti virus by obstructing,
eradicating and then clearing the worms and virus so that the user
can browse the web and download files without any worries.
McAfee also gives protection against the spyware before it
gets installed in the system and clears the existing ones so that
the user can surf safely.
It provides firewall so that the system can get protection
from unauthorized users like hackers.
It also has a new module that recognizes and removes rootkit
and other malicious programs.
It has the new Stealth mode that makes the users presence
invisible on the internet so that the hackers are unable to detect
the system.
The improved McAfee Security Center allows the user to check
his or her security status, check all the updates and fix all the
possible security issues.
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Article Contributed By: Sukanaya
Banerjee
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