What is a virus ? How do we protect computers free of virus using antivirus software?

A virus is a piece of software that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another, often causing harm to the infected computer and its files. Some common ways that viruses can spread include:

Email attachments: A virus can be spread by sending an infected file as an attachment in an email.

Downloads: A virus can be spread by downloading infected files from the internet, such as through a file sharing website.

Physical media: A virus can be spread by inserting infected removable media, such as a USB drive, into a computer.

To protect a computer from viruses, one can use antivirus software. Antivirus software is a program that is designed to detect, prevent, and remove viruses from a computer. Some key features of antivirus software include:

Real-time protection: This feature monitors the computer for any suspicious activity and blocks it immediately.

Scheduled scans: This feature allows you to schedule periodic scans of your computer to check for viruses.

Update feature: It is important to keep the antivirus software up to date so that it can recognize and protect against the latest viruses.

Quarantine: If a virus is detected, the antivirus software can move it to a quarantine folder where it cannot harm the computer.

Remove feature: If a virus is detected and cannot be repaired, the antivirus software can remove it from the computer.

It is important to remember to always keep your antivirus software up to date and to be cautious when downloading files or opening email attachments.