Modern technologies have penetrated into all spheres of life of an average person - from working days to evenings in the conditions of a home. And one of the most common devices that people use is PCs, tablets, and various mobile electronic devices that can go online. Against the backdrop of such progress as the protection of information became once relevant. Antivirus protection is one of the facets of this set of measures. The Internet is teeming with hostile programs that are capable of damaging or destroying important files when they enter any system.
Antivirus Information Security Tools
Given the potential and actual dangers of various viruses, a modern user cannot do without reliable protective equipment.
It is virtually impossible to independently control all processes that can activate a malicious program. Therefore, security must be approached systematically.
Brief instructions on the use of anti-virus information protection as follows:
- pay attention to the text editor and make sure that there is protection against the execution of macros;
- any digital media (flash drives, disks) must be checked before starting anything with their help;
- Install a reliable anti-virus program on a PC, and paid and in full;
- It is also relevant to periodically back up any important information.
What you should understand at the very beginning is the senselessness of trying to save on free software. If the use of anti-virus information protection really important because of the storage of valuable data on a PC, it is hardly worth using any truncated options.
What you should know about viruses
This topic should be considered in order to realize the fact of the fact that operating systems of ordinary users and corporate networks are constantly exposed to strong threats .
So, anti-virus information protection tools are focused on opposing malware, which can be divided according to the following criteria:
- destructive opportunities;
- habitat;
- Features of the algorithm underlying the virus;
- the method by which the habitat is infected.
In other words, viruses can load into different elements of the system and have various negative effects. For example, malware can infiltrate boot sectors from a disk or other medium, as well as into executable files. In addition, there are many threats that spread in the vastness of the network, and can get into the system when downloading a particular site or downloading a program.
As for the degree of destructiveness, viruses are both harmless and extremely dangerous. But in the case of the features of the algorithm, everything is a little more complicated: you can list various options from invisible programs to macro viruses for a long time.
Obviously, there are a lot of existing threats to system support, and their number is constantly growing. Therefore, the protection of information with the help of anti-virus programs is becoming an integral part of everyday life of both ordinary users and large companies.
How to understand that a computer is infected
There are certain signs that are vivid proof of the fact that a virus was introduced on the PC:
- the amount of RAM without objective reasons suddenly and noticeably decreases;
- slows down the work of programs that previously functioned quickly;
- file sizes increase;
- unusual files appear that were not previously noticed in the system;
- Both sound and video effects may occur, as well as other deviations.
In a word, noticeable malfunctions are observed in the operation of the operating system during infection. If such signs were recorded, then it is worth checking how effective the current information protection is. Antivirus programs are constantly being improved, which means that you should leave aside commitment to a specific product and periodically look for the most effective PC protection systems.
Free antiviruses
This type of counteraction to various threats is popular in RuNet. Not every user is so careful about their computer to annually pay for high-quality software. For this reason, within the framework of the topic “Instructions for anti-virus information protection”, it is worth considering the prospect of using such software.
The bottom line is that free antiviruses are initially limited in their capabilities. They can have quite good potential, but in most cases they will have to pay for the disclosure of all the facets of the product.
The main risk here is the lack of fixation and subsequent blocking of the virus attack while using the Internet, which is very important. In other words, most of these antiviruses are able to detect a threat even when it knocked on the "door" of the operating system, but even then it is not always. A quality protection program always has a rich database of possible viruses, which is constantly updated. As for the free versions, they also contain similar data, but the reliability of recognizing threats, including the latest ones, is always in question.
Some free versions only fix viruses and do not guarantee their complete removal.
Thus, it is worthwhile to understand that the free version is either a “stripped down” version of the antivirus, or a new program that is just starting to be promoted on the network. And this means that soon it will become paid, like others.
But there is one possibility that deserves attention and does not require costs. We are talking about a free cure, located on the official website of the company and capable of qualitatively scanning the entire system for threats. Such anti-virus protection of computer information is especially relevant when any problems have already appeared. A vivid example of such a utility is a product under the brand name of Doctor Web. Its installation allows you to conduct a one-time PC scan and repair the damage caused by destroying malware. But to use the capabilities of this antivirus on an ongoing basis, you have to pay.
Types of Antivirus Software
All paid antiviruses can be divided into several key groups, each of which is focused on a certain dominant function.
This list is as follows:
- Doctor programs;
- auditors;
- vaccines;
- filters;
- detectors.
Each of them may be needed in such a difficult and important matter as the organization of information protection. Antivirus protection, for example, from the Doctor category, can not only detect a threat, but also cure the system, which is an extremely relevant property. In this case, the body of the virus is removed from the affected file, and the latter returns to its original state.
Initially, such programs, called phages, are engaged in the search for viruses, and if they are found, then, first of all, they are destroyed and only then the recovery processes are activated.
If a computer is constantly exposed to a significant number of threats for various reasons, it makes sense to use polyphages that are designed specifically for such loads.
As for the detectors, they are necessary for the quick search for viruses in various media and RAM in particular. Such anti-virus systems and information protection cannot be considered separately from each other.
Attention should be paid to filter programs. They are designed to detect suspicious processes in the system. It is thanks to the work of such antiviruses that users periodically see warnings on the monitor that a particular program is trying to perform an incorrect or suspicious action.
Audit programs are another tool that information protection requires. This type of antivirus protection detects stealth viruses and fixes potentially dangerous changes in the system.
Vaccine programs are needed to prevent infection, which is an optimal defense strategy. Their use is especially relevant if reliable filters are not installed on the PC, which means there is a risk that all damaged files will not be fully restored.
Well-known companies create products that combine all of the above properties.
Actions to help save the system
So, it is obvious that information protection is ensured by the use of anti-virus tools. But for the effective organization of this process it is worth imagining at least a general algorithm of actions.
Security software focuses on 3 key tasks:
- prevention of infection;
- diagnostics of the state of the operating system and files;
- treatment.
Prevention should be understood as blocking various ways of accessing viruses to a PC, and preventing infection with malicious programs that are already on the system. As for diagnostics, here we are talking about antiviruses that can detect a threat in a computer and also identify its specific type.
Treatment is also the tool without which modern information protection cannot be complete. Antivirus protection of this kind first of all removes detected threats, and then restores the damage caused.
Speaking about the defense complex, which is used by virtually all companies and private users, it is worth understanding the total application of all the programs mentioned above.
Also raising the issue of protection, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the use of licensed programs will help to significantly reduce the number of virus attacks. Pirated versions are always a game with fire.
Firewall
In fact, if you translate this word, you get a "wall of fire." By this name, the developers tried to convey the key function of this tool - protection that does not allow connecting to a computer to potential threats.
And although similar software was already mentioned above, this complex of utilities should be paid more attention. Thanks to their action, only those data packets and files that are in accordance with the requirements of the system are passed.
This utility is an actual tool, without which complete information protection is impossible. Malicious and anti-virus programs are constantly evolving and the latter should be proactive, that is, they should not be infected initially. Otherwise, you can pay even if not all the data, but part of it, which is also tangible damage.
It is the firewall that helps to get the desired effect in protecting the computer while working on the network. Such a firewall is simply necessary for safe work on the Internet. Therefore, you need to select an antivirus program so that it has a similar function, and implemented at a decent level.
The main functions of the firewall
Considering topics such as information protection, computer viruses and antivirus programs, you should pay attention to the fact how the firewall works.
So, the most valuable are the following features of such software:
- notification of the user about the fact of a virus attack or attempt to commit it;
- filtering access to a PC;
- identification of suspicious reactions and processes in the system;
- blocking the ability to change network access settings;
- access control to all networks and nodes;
- Protects subnets from spyware access and information theft attempts.
If you evaluate firewalls by the degree of protection they can provide, then two key types can be distinguished: personal and corporate.
In the first case, we are talking about a network wall, which is relevant for the average user operating a computer for personal purposes. As for the second type, it is focused on the effective protection of internal networks of various companies. This means that such protection is installed on the gateway between the Internet network and the local one.
Accordingly, the settings of such firewalls may differ from the standard versions. But in any case, taking care of the presence of a quality fire wall is simply necessary.
How to install protection
In order for the antivirus program to protect all the necessary data, you need to perform a few simple steps.
First of all, you should choose the most reliable product (forums and ratings will help here). After you need to purchase its paid version. The following is the installation process, which is no different from installing a regular program. When it is completed, the computer will have to restart and select the current program settings.
At the end of this step, you need to start scanning your PC for threats and damage. If viruses are found, the defense will offer to destroy them. It is important to understand that before installing a new antivirus program, it is better to remove the old one, if any.
With the help of this simple algorithm of actions, information will be protected. Antivirus protection, as a rule, is paid once a year, and the required amount is available to virtually any average person.
The most common antiviruses
So, choosing the appropriate software to maintain the working state of your computer, you should pay attention to brands that have managed to prove themselves exclusively on the positive side.
Let's start with the famous Dr.Web. It effectively identifies, blocks and removes trojans, network, mail worms, stealth viruses, threats that infect office applications, keyloggers, password-stealing programs, various malicious scripts and many other types of threats.
A distinctive feature of Dr.Web is its ability to effectively treat an infected computer. If the machine is already in a deplorable state, then you need to stop your choice on this antivirus program. Moreover, this product contains one of the most complete and at the same time compact virus bases.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus. This is a Russian product that has become very famous in the post-Soviet space. In this case, you should pay attention to the behavioral module. This is a blocker that effectively controls the execution of macros and is able to suppress any actions that fall into the category of suspicious.
It is the use of this module that provides reliable protection against macro viruses.
Kaspersky also has an excellent auditor whose main function is to monitor any changes in the system and record unauthorized processes.
You need to pay attention to such protection tools as the background virus interceptor, heuristic analyzer, as well as anti-virus filtering. In other words, the set of security features in the product under the brand name “Kaspersky” deserves respect.
Eset NOD32 also belongs to the popular security programs. It is perfect for ordinary users, because it gives the desired effect and slightly loads the system. Its use provides guarantees for the proactive detection and neutralization of any threats.
Summary
Obviously, effective information protection is ensured by the use of anti-virus tools. Therefore, the acquisition of truly high-quality software should be taken seriously.