How does anti-virus software primarily function?

Anti-virus software primarily functions through heuristic checking and signature detection, which are key techniques used to identify and eliminate malicious software, or malware. Signature detection involves comparing files against a database of known malware signatures. When a file is scanned, the anti-virus program checks for patterns that match previously identified threats, allowing it to quickly identify and quarantine known viruses.

Heuristic checking, on the other hand, allows the software to analyze the behavior of programs and files to detect new, previously unknown malware or new variants of existing malware. This proactive approach looks for suspicious behavior or characteristics that might indicate malicious intent, thus providing an additional layer of security beyond just recognizing known threats.

By combining these two methods, anti-virus software can effectively protect a computer from a wide range of malware, ensuring that users can browse the internet and use applications safely without frequent disruptions or manual intervention.