Antivirus Software, Antivirus Programs

Viruses in computer programs have received their name originating from the field of microbiology based on the fact that they e.g. creep as a program into another computer program, reproduce and then destroy functioning ("healthy") structures in hardware and software.

Viruses come in different shapes and sizes, e.g. as system viruses (which attack the boot sector), program viruses (in com-,exe-,Sys-, WinExe- and DLL-virusexe-files), as script viruses or as macros.

A number of manufacturers offer antivirus programs, antivirus scanners and antivirus eliminators for the protection of computers and programs. Antivirus software, which warns about computer viruses, searches for them and removes them, is normally being updated in regular intervals.

An annual license fee is often charged for the use of the antivirus software, which then entitles the user to receive further updates.

As a rule viruses and other malware such as Trojan Horses and worms can be discovered, indicated, deleted and moved into quarantine in time with good antivirus kits. Well-known antivirus programs are GDAta Antivirus Kit, McAfee VirusScan, Norton Antivirus, F-Secure Anti-Virus and FP-WIN 2 Anti-Virus.

Some manufacturers also offer free-of-charge scans so that interested people can calculate their individual (additional-) requirements concerning reliable antivirus-software.

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