Anti virus software can basically protect a system from getting infected with viruses. In order to keep the system safe it is very important to keep the anti virus software up to date and running all the time in the background. Older versions of anti virus soft wares will require the user to manually upgrade it and also to scan the system manually. This can be a tedious process. New versions will do all this automatically to prevent the system. Main sources of virus infections will be from external data storage devices like USB drives, zip drives or floppy disks. It is better to scan these sources properly before opening the files in them. It is understood that unless the infected file is not opened from the external device, it will not affect the system.
With most recent anti virus software, the user does not have to be that mindful about virus attacks. Most of them are made to take care of them selves. They will scan all the external devices connected for data exchange automatically. They will also give warnings when the anti virus is out dated by a long margin. Then the user can update it easily. When the settings are such, it will automatically scan all the e mails that are coming in as well. Even they will keep running in the background without disturbing other processes.
If you go for a package with additional features like spyware protection, it will be a great advantage to prevent any attacks. Many of the packages now a days are made to fight against Trojans, worms, malicious web pages and also from active X controls. It is very important to select the best possible package for maximum protection.
Basically all the anti virus soft wares perform the same operations of scanning and cleaning the viruses from the system. Mostly they will be having the same algorithms as well. Main difference is in the interface between the user and the program and also in the features it has as add on functions such as e mail scanner, anti spyware and automatic update. Some may differ in the speed of the scan and the reliability of detecting viruses.
Most importantly the user should be comfortable with the program. User interface plays a very important role in this aspect. It is advisable to analyze it properly before deciding on which product to buy. Feedbacks of current users can help a lot for this. If the user interface is not suitable, when a pop up comes for some warning, the user will close it immediately and the information will not be transferred. Some scanners will use the memory of the system to run it in the background. If the user does not like this, he will close the program which will be dangerous. That is why it is necessary to have a good idea about the interface.
Anti virus vendors use to offer packages with firewalls and all other attractive features with an anti virus as a marketing policy. These additional features should be compared with the competitors before taking the final decision. Online reviews can be used to decide on the accuracy and the speed of a particular software in the market.
Online scanners do not need to be installed in the system to run the scanning process. It can be run over the internet. This type of scanners mostly will not be that reliable and they will not be able to clean the virus either. This is good for people who do not have full virus protection software installed.