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The June 2011 issue of Consumer Reports has an article comparing various anti-virus software packages. Among the free packages it recommends Avira and AVG. Bitdefender rates highest among pay packages.
The main purpose of anti-virus programs is to protect computers and other electronic devices from malicious software, also known as malware. This includes viruses, worms, Trojans, and other types of harmful programs that can infect a device and cause damage or steal personal information.
Anti-virus programs work by constantly scanning a device for any signs of malware. They use a database of known viruses and other threats to identify and remove any malicious software that may be present. Some programs also use heuristic analysis, which allows them to detect and block new or unknown threats.
There are several types of anti-virus programs, including traditional or signature-based programs, which rely on a database of known threats, and behavioral-based programs, which monitor a device's behavior for any suspicious activity. There are also free and paid versions of anti-virus programs, as well as programs designed specifically for different operating systems.
No, not all anti-virus programs are equally effective. Some may have a larger database of known threats, while others may have better heuristic analysis capabilities. It's important to research and compare different programs to find one that best suits your needs and provides the most comprehensive protection for your specific device.
Yes, having a firewall is important for protecting your device against external threats, but it does not provide the same level of protection as an anti-virus program. Firewalls primarily block incoming traffic, while anti-virus programs also scan for and remove any malicious software that may already be present on a device.