Why should you install an antivirus program?
Windows and MAC OS X computers are the most frequently attacked due to their widespread use. To date, there are hardly any malware programs known to be used “commercially” for Linux. A program to protect your own computer is therefore not absolutely necessary if you use the computer privately, but is still recommended so that you do not accidentally pass on dangerous files to others.
Antivirus software scans new files (email attachments, for example) and the entire computer for signs of infection. To do this, it primarily compares the data on your computer with the “fingerprints” of known malware. However, these “signatures” must always be up to date because new variants of pests appear every day. Therefore, you must update the software regularly.
This can be done either via the automatic update function of your program. Or you can download the updates directly from the manufacturer's website. There are also procedures that are intended to find previously unknown malware. However, in order not to produce too many false alarms, the detection performance of these “heuristic” methods is not very good.
Previously, users had to run the antivirus program at regular intervals and then scan the entire hard drive, individual drives, floppy disks or CD-ROMs. Today it is much easier. If the Auto-Protect function is switched on, the program automatically checks your computer in the background every time the system starts. You can recognize this by the icon in the taskbar . If a virus is found or the scanner notices something suspicious, you will receive a message in a notification window.
Virus protection: paid or free?
In addition to the paid versions, some manufacturers of protection software such as Microsoft also offer free versions. These often offer fewer features than the commercial version. A precise comparison of the functions is therefore always worthwhile. Many computer magazines regularly carry out tests of common protection programs and present their performance, ease of use and functions in an understandable way.
Online virus scanner
Some private users see online virus scanners as an alternative to traditional antivirus programs. At first glance, this makes sense: Because the virus scanner is run directly over the Internet, you don't have to install a complete anti-virus program. And in addition, you don't have to constantly worry about updating the virus signature , as the latest updates are always available online. But because convenience isn't everything, that alone isn't enough to replace a complete antivirus package.
If you only use an online scanner as protection on your PC, you are missing the background monitor. This is a function that checks every file touched on the computer in conventional antivirus programs. In order to achieve a similar effect with an online virus scanner, you would have to constantly have your computer or the newly added files checked by the online scanner. And that's why the advantage of no longer having to worry about the latest virus signatures is no longer worth anything.
But that's not enough. Online virus scanners have two other disadvantages:
- They require that ActiveX has been activated. In general, you should avoid ActiveX in the browser as much as possible because it does not contain any protection mechanisms. (see Active Content )
- If you have a concrete suspicion that your PC is already infected, you should avoid using the Internet as much as possible. The malware spreads even further via every online connection. And if you get a dialer, in the worst case scenario you will also be dialing into the Internet via an expensive number.
Despite all the disadvantages, could an online virus scanner still be useful to you? Yes, if your computer is currently unprotected and you suspect that there is a virus on your computer. The online scanner can help you find the pest. By this point, however, the virus may have already caused irreparable damage. Therefore, after eliminating the pest, you should use a conventional antivirus program in the future. The top priority is to always keep virus signatures up to date.
Popular scam: distribution of fake antivirus software
Internet criminals repeatedly try to foist fake antivirus software on users. In addition, when surfing the Internet, they receive the alleged warning that their computer is infected with malware. These warnings appear in a separate browser window and look deceptively similar to those of reputable antivirus programs. In order to eliminate the supposedly dramatic infection of the PC with a malware, the user is asked to download a specified antivirus program.
After installing the supposed antivirus solution, a request to purchase the program or to purchase a license appears. If the user refuses to do this, false virus warnings will appear at certain intervals, accompanied by a request to pay.
However, the programs offered often have no function at all. They only serve to persuade the user to make a purchase and to access the credit card details. In some cases, PCs are infected with malware when the “protection program” is downloaded, for example in order to connect them to a bot network.
what such fake virus warnings and antivirus programs look like on the heise.de website.
Which virus protection program is recommended?
Be suspicious of unsolicited software offers and always only purchase antivirus software from reputable providers. Choosing a suitable antivirus program is particularly important for Windows-based systems.
In order to adequately protect the system against computer viruses and other malware, private users can use both free and paid versions of virus protection software. The latter may have more functions. If the useful, additional functions of the paid solutions, such as
- Child protection filter
- Monitoring browser and email activity for malware
- advanced, behavior-based malware detection
However, if you do not need it, free virus protection programs from reputable manufacturers are sufficient. The operating system manufacturers themselves also offer a free virus protection program.
Source: BSI
Also read: Malware, viruses, trojans and worms! What is all this actually?
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