The importance of protecting our data and devices has never been greater. Good security software is the first step. A good antivirus program will keep your computer (or tablet, phone, etc.) safe. The antivirus program protects the computer (or phone, tablet, etc.) from software that attempts to attack it. This includes detecting, blocking, and other digital threats, such as viruses.
PCWorld covers the latest in virus and other threats and how to protect yourself. Our comprehensive roundup of 2023’s best antivirus software is a great place to start.
What is a virus?
Understanding what antivirus software is all about requires that you understand what a virus is. “Virus” in this context has a broad definition, but to put it simply, it’s a program that gets installed on your computer, then automatically spreads itself to other computers across a network or the internet, mimicking the spread of a biological virus spreading through an organism’s cells.
What precisely a virus does depends on the specific virus, but it’s never good. In the early years of personal computers, many viruses were…
