| "> | | | | attempt to identify, obstruct and eradicate computer |
| The term 'Virus' has not just created havoc in life of | | | | viruses and other harmful software. |
| living beings but also in the world of computers. Though | | | | Every anti-virus software functions according to two |
| the two kinds of viruses are completely different from | | | | techniques with a special focus on the first one - |
| each other yet both can prove extremely fatal. | | | | (1) Examining i.e. scanning files to check familiar viruses |
| Virus in computers can be defined as a program or a | | | | that match the definitions in a virus dictionary. |
| piece of code that is loaded onto your computer | | | | (2) Identifying any malfunctioning software that |
| without your knowing it and it runs against your wishes. | | | | indicates infection. Such analysis includes data |
| The computer viruses are manmade and can easily | | | | captures, port monitoring and other methods. |
| replicate themselves. A simple virus can duplicate itself | | | | While examining any file, the anti-virus software refers |
| time and again and it is quite easy to produce. Even a | | | | to a dictionary of known viruses that are already |
| simple virus can swallow the entire memory of your | | | | identified by the authors of the anti-virus software. The |
| system and stop it's working while a slightly more | | | | moment the code of a virus matches with the virus |
| dangerous or strong virus can transmit it across | | | | detected in the dictionary, the anti-virus software at |
| networks and bypass the security systems. Viruses | | | | first tries to repair the software by removing the virus |
| can be transmitted as attachments to an e-mail note | | | | itself from the file. If the virus is not removed at this |
| or in a download file, or be present on a diskette or | | | | stage then the software quarantines the file in a way |
| CD. Some viruses cast their effect as soon as their | | | | that file remains inaccessible to other programs and |
| code is executed; other viruses lie inactive until | | | | the virus ceases to harm the system any more. Finally |
| circumstances cause their code to be executed by | | | | if the virus still continues to exist, the software deletes |
| the computer. | | | | the infected file. |
| But gone are the days when viruses and diseases | | | | In order to function correctly and in a right manner the |
| caused by them were left untreated. Just as people | | | | virus dictionary approach needs regular updates that |
| have developed cures to protect themselves, they | | | | involves downloads of updated virus dictionary entries. |
| have also invented something to safeguard their | | | | The anti-virus software that works in accordance to a |
| computer against the devastating threat of virus. The | | | | dictionary typically scrutinizes files and spontaneously |
| device that is meant to detect virus is called anti-virus. | | | | detects a virus when the operating system of the |
| An anti-virus program can be defined as a utility that | | | | computer creates, opens, and closes or e-mails them. |
| searches a hard disk for any known or potential | | | | However a System Administrator can program the |
| viruses and eliminates any that are found. Anti-virus | | | | anti-virus software to examine or scan all the files on |
| software comprises of computer programs that | | | | the user's hard disk on a routine basis. |