Anti-virus software is the software used to protect the software from dangerous viruses and also helps in identifying and removing these menaces from the system. It is recommended to get Anti-virus software installed in the PC as to avoid any alien threat to the applications installed in it. It ensures the safety of the computer and increases its immunity by spying the malwares and fighting against such threats.

Evolution and History

Bernt Fix is said to be the first person who invented an Anti-virus application or software in 1987. Prior to the usage of internet, the viruses were spread through diseased floppy disks. During that time the virus detector only use to check the booting sectors and the files that are to be executed, from the hard disk and floppy.

Later, when the internet usage reached the heights, the viruses started multiplying and got expansion through usage of modems and Broadband. Also, the Macros which are being used in word processor like Microsoft office applications also became havoc to the computers. As a result of which the virus writers got the breeding grounds on such macros, they can very easily send viruses through these macros in the attached files by using internet. These problems made it mandatory to install Anti-virus software in the computers.

Detecting the Virus

Most commonly used virus detection method is to Signature based. In this method the Anti-virus software examines the contents of the file through the dictionary in Virus application. The viruses can hide them in the files. Whole of the file is checked thoroughly, wholly and partially both. Heuristic virus detection is also very useful method in virus identification. File emulation method involves execution of a program and checking how that particular program is running, it keeps an eye on the actions performed by the program. The Anti-virus software identifies virus in the program if it’s not running in the expected fashion.

Anti-virus software is like medicine for our PC

There are numerous software to choose from. The leading ones are MacAfee, Avast, Avira, Avg Anti-virus, Norton, Symantec Anti-virus software, kaspersky Anti-virus. These names are well-known and prove really helpful in Virus identification. If you do not have Anti-virus application installed in your system, get it done as soon as possible before it’s too late.