Anti virus is essential software which protects a personal computer from infection from viruses & worms, small sometimes destructive, self propagating programs usually transmitted via the Internet or discs. Infected machines can lose data & spread viruses to other computers.
A virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are man made. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.
Anti virus software programs help protect computer systems from the fatal virus attack. There are regular program updates available to meet the ever new kinds of viruses. Anti Virus software programs and free anti virus software trial downloads are available from a host of providers. Some of the well known names include Norton, Symantic, Sophos & McAfee.