Antivirus Software

Executive Summary

Devices are more vulnerable to attacks without antivirus software. Security software is a necessity, it scans and stops attacks. It helps maintain systems to keep it clean of malware. Antivirus software should be regularly maintained to improve security.

Background

Antivirus software is essential to cybersecurity. It is made to detect then remove malicious software from computer systems. It conducts detection techniques such as investigative analysis and signature-based scanning [5]. Antivirus software can recognize and stop new attacks as well.

The environment for malware is always changing as hackers create more complex attacks. For example, the recent Banshee macOS Stealer malware that stole information from Apple users for months without detection [2]. This situation shows how pressing it is to install strong antivirus software to defend against threats like this.

Impact

Malware infections can corrupt files, tamper personal data, and disrupt system operation. This means hackers could steal people’s identities and commit fraud. This can affect people and businesses badly. There are around 190,000 new malware attacks every second; in 2024 alone over 60 million new strains were found [1].

Mitigation

Updating trustworthy antivirus software reduces the attack surface. Windows Defender Security Center catches malware on the internet and deals with viruses right away [3]. A thorough defense against online threats can also be done by combining antivirus software with additional security tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems. ​Free antivirus software options are more available now than ever [4].

Relevance

Keeping antivirus software up to date is needed for protecting data in the ever evolving digital world. Advanced antivirus software improves overall cybersecurity, even built-in security mechanisms provide a minimum level of protection. Fending off malware assaults requires taking proactive steps to resolve any vulnerabilities through thorough security procedures.

References

[1] Estensorro, J. (2024, November 5). Malware And Virus Statistics 2025: The Trends You Need to Know About. AVG. https://www.avg.com/en/signal/malware-statistics 

[2] Kato, B. (2025, January 11). Apple users warned of hi-tech Mac malware that steals personal data, goes undetected for months—here’s how to stay safe. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/tech/apple-users-warned-of-hi-tech-mac-malware-that-steals-personal-data-goes-undetected-for-months-heres-how-to-stay-safe/ 

[3] Nield, D. (2024, September 18). Do You Need an Antivirus Program on Windows? Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/do-you-need-an-antivirus-program-on-windows 

[4] Rubenking, N. J. (2025, January 22). The Best Free Antivirus Software for 2025. PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-free-antivirus-protection 

[5] Souppaya, M. & Scarfone, K. (2013, July 22). Guide to Malware Incident Prevention and Handling for Desktops and Laptops. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-83r1.pdf