Term Paper About Anti Virus
Antivirus Software
Definition
Antivirus software is used to protect computers, databases and all their electronically stored information from malicious logic programs. Antivirus software not only prevents infection, but it can also clean viruses and other malicious logic from an infected system. Due to the constant changes in malicious logic programs, however, definition files must be frequently updated.
History
The first antivirus software was created in 1988 in order to combat the Brain virus, which originated in Pakistan. This antivirus program not only detected the Brain's presence on a computer and removed it; it could also clean floppy disks that were infected. Since 1988, writers of malicious code have flooded the Internet with viruses of various types, infecting users around the world. This has created a tremendous need for antivirus software.
Types
Antivirus software must be carefully crafted to eliminate various types of malicious logic programs, including viruses, worms and Trojan horses. A virus is a program written to attach to a file or another program. Once it has infected that file or program, the virus can travel with it between computers. Typically, a virus can only infect a computer when the file it has infected is opened or the program is run. Worms are another type of malicious logic program that affects computer systems. A worm also travels between computers by attaching to files or programs, but can spread even if the user does not open or access the infected file. A Trojan horse is a software program disguised as a useful type of program that will damage a system once loaded.
Function
Antivirus software performs many functions to prevent infection and remove malicious logic that has infiltrated a computer system. Scanning email prior to download can ensure that there is no unwanted code in email attachments. Periodically scanning computer files can also help antivirus software isolate any viruses that have
Definition
Antivirus software is used to protect computers, databases and all their electronically stored information from malicious logic programs. Antivirus software not only prevents infection, but it can also clean viruses and other malicious logic from an infected system. Due to the constant changes in malicious logic programs, however, definition files must be frequently updated.
History
The first antivirus software was created in 1988 in order to combat the Brain virus, which originated in Pakistan. This antivirus program not only detected the Brain's presence on a computer and removed it; it could also clean floppy disks that were infected. Since 1988, writers of malicious code have flooded the Internet with viruses of various types, infecting users around the world. This has created a tremendous need for antivirus software.
Types
Antivirus software must be carefully crafted to eliminate various types of malicious logic programs, including viruses, worms and Trojan horses. A virus is a program written to attach to a file or another program. Once it has infected that file or program, the virus can travel with it between computers. Typically, a virus can only infect a computer when the file it has infected is opened or the program is run. Worms are another type of malicious logic program that affects computer systems. A worm also travels between computers by attaching to files or programs, but can spread even if the user does not open or access the infected file. A Trojan horse is a software program disguised as a useful type of program that will damage a system once loaded.
Function
Antivirus software performs many functions to prevent infection and remove malicious logic that has infiltrated a computer system. Scanning email prior to download can ensure that there is no unwanted code in email attachments. Periodically scanning computer files can also help antivirus software isolate any viruses that have