Software programs used to detect, track, stop and delete viruses from computer are anti-virus software (malicious) software. It is also known as anti-malware.
Many antivirus software, once installed, runs in the background automatically to provide real-time protection from virus attacks. Antivirus software must be updated with time as many new computer viruses are coming in the field of computer.
Initially computer antivirus software were made to detect and remove computer virus from the computing device. But nowadays, along with computer virus, antivirus software now detect and protect computer from other types of malwares and malicious programs like computer worms, Trojan horse adware, rootkits, spyware, key loggers, ransom ware, boot kits etc.
Security to corrupted and malicious URLs, advanced persistent threat (APT) scam and phishing attacks, online attacks, and DDoS botnet attacks are also included in some antivirus software.
Antivirus is also used to protect server, client, databases and computer networks.
Some of the commercial antivirus software are:
- Norton antivirus
- Kaspersky antivirus
- Avira antivirus
- F-secure antivirus
- AVG antivirus
- ESET antivirus
The Microsoft Security, the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and Windows Defender are examples of Windows antivirus and anti-malware software.