What is antivirus software?

<p>Antivirus software (antivirus program) is a security program designed to prevent, detect, search and remove viruses and other types of <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/malware”>malware</a> from computers, networks and other devices. Often included as part of a security package, antivirus software can also be purchased as a standalone option.</p>
<p>Typically installed on a computer as a proactive approach to cybersecurity, an antivirus program can help mitigate a variety of cyber threats, including <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/keylogger”>keyloggers</a>, browser hijackers, <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/Trojan-horse”>Trojan horses</a>, worms, rootkits, <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Top-10-Spyware-Threats”>spyware</a>, <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/adware”>adware</a>, <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/366611357/FBI-disrupts-another-Chinese-state-sponsored-botnet”>botnets</a>, <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/phishing”>phishing attempts</a> and <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/ransomware”>ransomware</a> attacks.</p>
<p>Due to the constantly <a href=”https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Lessons-in-the-new-era-of-AI-enabled-cybercrime”>evolving nature of cybercrimes</a> and new versions of malware being released daily, including <a href=”https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366629825/Three-new-Citrix-NetScaler-zero-days-under-active-exploitation”>zero-day</a> attacks, no antivirus program can offer detection and protection against all threat vectors.</p>
<figure class=”main-article-image full-col” data-img-fullsize=”https://www.techtarget.com/rms/onlineimages/12_common_types_of_malware-f.png”>
<img data-src=”https://www.techtarget.com/rms/onlineimages/12_common_types_of_malware-f_mobile.png” class=”lazy” data-srcset=”https://www.techtarget.com/rms/onlineimages/12_common_types_of_malware-f_mobile.png 960w,https://www.techtarget.com/rms/onlineimages/12_common_types_of_malware-f.png 1280w” alt=”A chart listing some of the many types of malware that can harm a computer, network or server.” height=”318″ width=”559″>
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