Antivirus programs are specialized software applications designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) from computers and networks.
Types of Antivirus Programs
- Standalone Antivirus Software: Focuses solely on detecting and removing malware.
- Internet Security Suites: Combines antivirus with additional features like firewall, anti-spam, parental controls, and more.
- Cloud-Based Antivirus: Utilizes cloud technology to offload the processing of potential threats, reducing the performance impact on local devices.
- Endpoint Security Software: Provides protection for network endpoints, often used in business environments to secure multiple devices within a network.
Popular Antivirus Programs
- Norton Antivirus
- McAfee Antivirus
- Kaspersky Antivirus
- Avast Antivirus
- Bitdefender Antivirus
- Trend Micro Antivirus
- Windows Defender (built into Windows operating systems)