A virus scanner is used for detecting, preventing, and removing malware from computer systems. It scans files, programs, and the operating system for malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, and adware. The primary purpose of a virus scanner is to protect the system from potential threats by identifying and neutralizing any harmful code before it can cause damage or compromise data security.
It often works by comparing files against a database of known malware signatures and using heuristic analysis to identify suspicious behavior.
Your virus scanning software is a specific application installed on your computer designed to carry out the functions of a virus scanner. It runs periodic scans, monitors system activities in real-time, and may provide additional features such as firewall protection, email filtering, and web browsing safety.
The software is regularly updated with new virus definitions to keep up with the latest threats and ensure comprehensive protection against malware. It also allows you to customize scan settings, schedule automatic scans, and review scan results to manage the security of your system effectively.