Anti-Malware Software

Anti-malware software is a utility that detects and removes malicious software from a computer. It also helps prevent malicious software from infecting the system, so the computer keeps working reliably.

Malicious software is any software written to cause harm. It might delete or corrupt your files, use up storage and processing power so everything slows down, or monitor what you do. Anti-malware reduces these risks by finding harmful programs before they can do much damage.

How it protects a computer

• Detection: it scans files, downloads and email attachments for malicious code. It can scan a file as it arrives or check files already stored on the disk.
• Removal: when it finds malware, it deletes the infected file or moves it to a safe holding area so it cannot run. This stops the harmful program from affecting other files.
• Prevention: it monitors files while you use the computer and blocks suspicious programs from opening or installing. Regular scans catch malware that was missed earlier.

For example, imagine you download a file that looks like a printable party invitation. Anti-malware scans it as it is saved, spots hidden malicious code and blocks it before it can open. Without that check, the malware could delete photos or slow the computer down badly. Anti-malware is a utility, not an operating system: it runs on the operating system to add protection.