Antivirus Sorted: Antivirus Software (A Definition)

Antivirus (or alternatively spelt "anti-virus") software is a generic term for a software application used to detect and/or remove malware from an electronic device.

Whist the term “antivirus” suggests that only computer viruses are detected by the software application, almost all modern antivirus programs detect and remove various types of malware which may attempt to install itself on your electronic device. The main electronic devices which can by affected by malware are any form of computer (Including Windows and Apple operating systems), tablet PCs, smart phones and there has even been some mention of smart TVs being potentially affected.

The term “malware” comprises of the following:

Computer viruses - A computer virus is a software program that has an ability to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another.
Adware - Adware is a software package which automatically displays unwanted advertisements on the user’s electronic device.
Backdoors - A backdoor is a way of bypassing the usual authentication process of a computer system which grants an unauthorised user of software application access to that computer.
Malicious BHOs – Malicious Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) use their unrestricted access to Microsoft Internet Explorer as a gateway to implement other forms of malware.
Dialers - Dialers from a malware perspective take advantage in security flaws in operating systems to make outbound phone calls to premium rate numbers without the user’s knowledge.
Fraudtools – Fraudtools pretend to be a well known and trusted software application (most likely masquerading as an antivirus) to steal data or money.
Browser Hijackers – Malware which changes the user’s web-browser settings without the user’s permission.
Keyloggers - A Keylogger records the keystokes on the user’s keyboard without the user’s knowledge.
Malicious LSPs – Whilst not actually malware, an LSP (Layered Service Provider) is a Microsoft Windows function which intercepts and modifies inbound and outbound Internet traffic which malware might exploit.
Rootkits - A rootkit is a piece of software with administrative system privileges which can hide certain processes or programs on the user’s electronic device
Spyware – Spyware is a form of malware which can gather personal information on the user’s computer without their knowledge or consent. Spyware can also take control over certain computer functions and programs.
Ransomware - Ransomware restricts the access to the infected computer system and as the name suggests, holds the system to “ransom” until the user pays the extortionist to remove the restrictions.
Trojan horses – A Trojan horse is a form of malware which grants unauthorised access to a user’s computer system.
Worms - Computer worms are a standalone computer program designed to replicate themselves and spread to other electronic devices on a computer network.