VIRUS SCANNER
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An antivirus program protects
computers from harmful software. These can be Trojans, worms or spyware and
other malware, for example. The antivirus software is able to detect, block and
eliminate malware.
THE
DIVISION INTO THREE TYPES:
·
Real-time scanner
·
Manual scanner
·
Online scanner
a) Real-time
scanners: They are active in the background
on a computer. They work as a system service under the Windows operating
system. The antivirus
software does its work in real time and constantly scans the programs that
are running, the data traffic on the computer and the main
memory. Whenever the computer accesses programs, memory or online data or
saves and changes files, the antivirus program searches for suspicious
data. If the signature of malware is recognized,
the antivirus program blocks further access to the affected data. Users
then usually have the choice of moving the file to a quarantine directory,
deleting it, or repairing it.
b) Manual
scanners: It start on manual request by the
user or automatically time-controlled. After the start, the antivirus
software checks the data on the computer for harmful software. If
signatures are recognized, manual scanners can delete the affected files, move
them to quarantine or clean them. Some manual scanners lack the virus
removal function. They can only find malware, but not eliminate it.
c) Online
scanners: It load the virus signatures and
their program code online via the Internet or another network. To check the
data on the computer, they require an online connection. These scanners
are often run in addition to permanently installed virus programs in order to
obtain a second independent opinion in the event of suspicious actions.
IMPORTANT TERMS FROM THE VIRUS SCANNER ENVIRONMENT
In the field of antivirus software, the
term scan engine is often used. The scan engine is a fundamental part of
the antivirus program. The engine is responsible for actually examining
the computer's data and is largely responsible for the efficiency of the
antivirus program.
In the way the virus scanner works,
a distinction can be made between reactive and proactive. Reactive
programs can only detect malware if the manufacturer provides a signature for
the malware in question. It is therefore necessary to keep the signatures
up to date at all times. In the case of new malware, it may take a certain
time before a signature is available. Until then, the reactive scanner
cannot detect the malware.
Proactive virus scanners do not
recognize malware on the basis of signatures, but rather examine programs for
certain characteristics (heuristics). In theory, you are able to recognize
new, unknown viruses based on your behavior alone. However, heuristic
scanners may have an increased false alarm rate.
HOW
DOES VIRUS SCAN WORK?
A virus scanner is nothing more than a vaccination for
the computer. Like an antibody in a serum, a virus scanner is able to recognize
computer viruses and thus prevent them from spreading uncontrollably on the
computer. But this is not that easy. Because now there are countless different
computer viruses, all of which can cause great damage to a computer. A computer
virus is actually just a computer program. By downloading infected files from
the Internet, through e-mails or through weak points in programs, the virus can
get onto your own computer. There it is initially attached to existing software
without being noticed. Only when the unsuspecting user starts the infected
program,
The task of the virus scanner is to detect viruses before
this happens. The antivirus
software takes advantage of the fact that each virus has a unique
signature. This “fingerprint” distinguishes the virus from “healthy” programs.
The virus scanner therefore searches every file, every e-mail and every network
packet for these signatures. If the scanner finds something unusual, it sounds
the alarm.
This principle works well, but has the same disadvantage
as a flu vaccination: It only protects against known viruses that have already
caused damage somewhere and are therefore available to the manufacturers of the
antivirus software. As with the vaccine cocktail of the flu vaccination, which
has to be adjusted to the current pathogens every year, it is also with the
antivirus software: It has to be updated again and again. Only in this way does
it offer effective protection. This type of software is powerless against brand
new viruses.
Unfortunately, virus scanners, which also protect against
unknown viruses, have so far been unreliable. One strategy is to monitor system
files. For example, if a file is changed by the operating system, the alarm
bells can ring. However, a common update can trigger a false alarm. The
so-called sandpit principle is far more promising. With this method, each
program is first executed and observed in a protected environment, the sandbox.
Only if nothing unusual is noticeable can the program be started correctly. For
example, it would be unusual if the program rewrote itself, as many viruses do.
Unfortunately, even this approach does not help completely, as one would have
to know the typical behavior of all programs to be executed.
So-called worms are also very common today. They too
belong to the large family of computer viruses, but are particularly dangerous.
Because worms don't wait for a user to download them. They reach the computer
from the Internet on their own and then spread immediately.
WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN VIRUS SCANNER DETECTS A CYBER THREAT?
As we know, a virus scanner is a part of antivirus
software so it detects all the viruses and cyber threats. So when the virus
scanner is running and it detects the cyber threat and it disinfects it and
move it to its original place. Sometimes it’s not possible to disinfect the
virus at one go than it is kept in quarantine to stop further infection or
damage and it's treated slowly and then removed from your device.
Virus scanner is always in action and performing its task
without letting you know so as its part of antivirus, so a good antivirus will have good
virus scanner and to keep your device in perfect condition and to make it run
properly we should have a good antivirus that will have a great virus scanner.
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