Antivirus

Antivirus is a simplified name for a security program that searches for, detects, blocks and removes cyber threats.

Antiviruses then and now

In its beginnings, an antivirus program was a simple piece of software that detected and eventually removed computer viruses from an infected device. This helped stop the further spread of malicious code. Today, we use the term "antivirus" to refer to even the most advanced security solutions. Antivirus programs contain modern technologies and have several security layers that protect against various types of threats and can thus ensure the highest level of security for the user. Multilayered antivirus protection fights against a wide range of malicious activities, Identity Theft, unauthorized cryptocurrency mining, file encryption with ransomware, acquisition of sensitive personal data, spam, fraud and other forms of cyber attacks.

Additional security services

Advanced security solutions often offer additional protection services such as:

•Metadata cleanup: You increase your privacy protection by removing metadata from images uploaded to the browser.

•Safe Web Browsing: Safe Browser Mode protects you from malware, keyloggers, and other digital threats.

•Webcam protection monitors all applications running on the computer and detects which are trying to use the webcam. It alerts you to unauthorized access to your webcam and allows you to block them.

•Brute force protection blocks attacks that try to guess your password and gain access to your accounts by entering many previously cracked passwords—one of the most common methods hackers use to steal passwords.

•Mobile protection is extended by anti-phishing (SMS phishing), which scans incoming SMS messages and warns of dangerous links. For example, an Anti-Theft feature can help a user locate a lost or stolen smartphone, tablet or laptop and even allow a photo of the person using the device to be taken.

•Parental controls allow you to block unwanted web content by category or individual websites to keep your children safe on the internet.

•A firewall keeps your use of public Wi-Fi safe by keeping your device away from other users and potentially infected devices. It is essential for travel and remote work.

•Network Guard blocks threats from your Wi-Fi network by protecting your home router and showing who is connected.

•A VPN (virtual private network) is a technology that allows you to create a secure and private connection over a public network. All data transmitted between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, meaning it is hidden from anyone who might try to intercept it.

•A password manager helps users manage and protect their digital identity and allows them to create, store and manage any unique and highly complex passwords.

All these functions are part of the ESET HOME Security security solution.

How does a modern cybersecurity solution work?

In the past, most antiviruses relied on detecting characteristic strings (the so-called virus signature) when searching for viruses and malware. Each virus had a different "fingerprint" that made it easy to recognize and prevent its further spread. Today, antivirus software uses technologies such as code emulation, heuristics, and behavior analysis. This is the only way to find unknown threats and their variants. The detection rules complement inputs from Machine learning algorithms and use sandboxing and cloud reputation checking. This detects and blocks most emerging threats directly at the user's end station, the so-called endpoint. Modern security solutions update their virus databases several times a day.

A window into the history of viruses and antiviruses

The first computer virus appeared probably in 1971 and was called Creeper. It was more of a joke because it did not damage the computer. One of the first viruses caught here in Central Europe was called Vienna and was spread on diskettes. It was also then that the first ESET antivirus program, NOD, abbreviated Hospital on the Edge of the Disk, was created, which could block the Vienna virus. The founders of ESET released it in 1987. Subscribers received antivirus updates on diskettes once every six months.

ESET deployed the first modern technology in 1995: heuristics. This allows you to run suspicious files on a virtual machine, thus detecting even unknown malicious code. Until the year 2000, antivirus remained a relatively narrowly specialized tool.

But with the dramatic increase in malware, antivirus programs have evolved into sophisticated security solutions. Today, antivirus nod 32 is among the popular representatives of traditional antivirus programs. Since its introduction, it has served reliably as protection for home and business computers. It uses classic antivirus technologies such as an anti-spyware and anti-phishing module or defense against ransomware.

What are the benefits of a modern cybersecurity solution?

A reliable security solution with multiple layers of advanced technologies can detect, neutralize and remove even deeply embedded malware, protect users from ransomware, spyware, spam, phishing and other social engineering techniques. It can also identify attempts by attackers to exploit system vulnerabilities.

Antivirus programs detect malicious code and applications that may pose a danger. These are referred to as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). They include applications that slow your computer's performance or display unwanted content.

Is free antivirus worth it?

Free antivirus programs usually provide basic protection against malware. If you want advanced features, such as online shopping protection, a password manager, or ransomware protection, a premium version of an antivirus might be worth it.

It is also worth considering what type of support the antivirus offers. Premium versions of antivirus usually provide better customer service if you have technical difficulties or questions.

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