Computer Science · Ch 12 — Security Aspects
Antivirus
12.3
Antivirus
What an Antivirus Is
An antivirus is a software program designed to protect a computer system from malicious software. It is also commonly called anti-malware. The name "antivirus" is actually a historical leftover: when this software was first developed, its only job was to detect and remove viruses — nothing else. That is why it was called anti-virus.
But the digital threat landscape changed quickly, and so did the software. Over time, antivirus programs evolved far beyond their original purpose. Today, a modern antivirus is bundled with capabilities to prevent, detect, and remove a wide range of malware — not just viruses. This includes worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, adware, and other malicious programs.
The Evolution in a Nutshell
| Stage | What the software did |
|---|---|
| Initially | Detected and removed only viruses |
| Now | Prevents, detects, and removes a wide range of malware |
Key Points to Remember
- Antivirus = anti-malware; the two terms are used interchangeably.
- The name "antivirus" stuck even though the software now handles far more than viruses. …