What is Anti-virus Software and How Does it Work?

Video – VLog #36

What is anti-virus/malware software?

How does antivirus software work?

What is malware?

Script – VLog #36

Willie Nicol: Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of The Techno Dinosaur Meets the IT Geek. I am Willie Nicol, the Techno Dinosaur and also a personal life coach. And my collaborator today is David Logan, the IT geek. Hi David, how are you and where are you?

David Logan: Hi Willie, I’m great. I’m David Logan, the IT geek. The guy who takes the jargon out of technology for the home owner. I live here in Annan, south west Scotland, UK.

Willie Nicol: Thanks David. I should have said that I’m based near Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Although, thanks to the world wide web, I’m international.

Willie Nicol: So, todays question, David, is second in the series of IT tips to keep your PC and your laptop working effectively and efficiently. And it’s to do with anti-virus. What is it and why do we need it?

David Logan: Okay. Fantastic question, fantastic topic Willie.

David Logan: Anti-virus is the type of malware. One of various types of malware but what it can do is change your programmes, make them look legit but it creates a backdoor into your system so it can record what you type into the computer. It can steal information.

Willie Nicol: Bit confused here, David. You say anti-virus is malware. Surely the virus is the malware?

David Logan: Virus is a variant of malware.

Willie Nicol: Okay.

David Logan: You’ve got Trojans, you’ve got .… I’m thinking here off the top of my head, bear with me, I didn’t do too much research on this part … Trojans, you’ve got malware, which is a part of it, viruses, you’ve got worms. So, it’s all a family of them, there’s about number three, I can’t remember off the top of my head but it’s all a family. So, anti-virus software just looks at one type of malware.

Willie Nicol: Okay and the anti-virus, is that to protect us? Is that correct?

David Logan: That is correct. But what I would also recommend, if we’re talking about virus software, is basically everybody and anybody can supply it now. You can get free or you can get paid. They’re all pretty much bog-standard. What I would recommend though is look at other options that’s added into that security package. So, we’ve got firewalls which we’ve talked about. We’re talking about real life interaction, so that’s where a new virus, a new variant of malware is detected on your device. So, what it can do, it can say, “Okay, so I’ve got this list of viruses in my library. This here I don’t recognise. Lets alert the user, put it into quarantine and send it for investigation.” So, that’s real life. If you think about it, all these programs are talking back to the central database. It’s saying. “Is this legit or is it not?” If it doesn’t look right, it flags to the user, quarantines it, sends it back to base.

Willie Nicol: Okay. So, it’s a good thing this anti-virus to protect our PC’s and laptops from malwares, worms, trojans, etc.

David Logan: Yes. Now, we’ve had a discussion off camera where there’s a heated discussion now. Should you have anti-virus on, especially for Windows 10, when they’ve got their own …. Microsoft have their own virus software? I agree and disagree. The reason for the argument for not having it is that it bloats the computer. But then, you’ve got to think, all they’re looking for is viruses. So, for the home user, general browsing, I would say using Windows 10, you’re good with Microsoft Defender. Okay?

David Logan: For banking, shopping online, I would suggest stick with Windows Defender and install a program called ‘Malware Bytes.’ Now there’s a paid version and a free version. Free version will just scan there on the spot, full stop. If you go for the paid version, it’ll scan real time like the anti-virus software. If you’re talking about a business, then I would suggest go for anti-virus with built in technology.

Willie Nicol: And any particular one you’d recommend for business?

David Logan: For businesses, for paid, for subscription, I would say go for E.S.E.T. So, that’s E.S.E.T. East European. The reason I go for that, it’s good value, it’s cheap, one of the cheaper ones on the market and it’s light weight on your system. It doesn’t bloat your system out, whereas some of the well-known ones will do. That then comes down to what is the mechanics of your computer. Is it super charged? Can it take that bloat, that extra load on the system? My advice would be – go for E.S.E.T, it’s very lightweight and it will work seamlessly in the background. Yes, it’s had its issues, but can you tell me, going back to the everyday person, can you tell me one car manufacturer that doesn’t have a problem? We all drive cars.

Willie Nicol: Thank you David. I take your point. We were talking earlier about hosting sites and they’re having their problems. The allegory with cars, yes, I think every car manufacturer has had problems. So, E.S.E.T is your preferred option?

David Logan: Yes, correct.

Willie Nicol: Okay. Thank you very much for that David. I think we’re probably nearing our time limit for another fun filled and information packed episode.

Willie Nicol: So, to the viewer, listen to what David’s saying about protecting your PC’s and Laptops.

Willie Nicol: And all that remains for me to say …. stay safe, stay well, have a good week. It’s goodbye from me Willie Nicol.

David Logan: Thank you Willie. To the viewer, be safe, stay healthy. Please, please subscribe to YouTube, down here, subscribe!! Watch out for our videos. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, we’re out there. Don’t get stressed, speak to Willie. And if you’ve got a computer problem, please don’t chuck it out the window, speak to me first. Last thing, be well, stay well, stay healthy. Have a great weekend all. Thank you.