What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software protects your computer from a variety of malicious software programs. These can include:

• Viruses Small programs that attach themselves to other programs or documents and replicate with the potential to cause damage.
• Worms Viruses specifically engineered to make extensive use of email to spread themselves rapidly.
• Trojans Programs that appear harmless but have a damaging or otherwise malicious intent.
• Zombies Programs that install themselves on computers and remain dormant until some external event triggers them into action. Actions could include corrupting, truncating, or stealing your information and sending it to a predefined email account or opening up remote control access portals to your machines.

All of these forms are commonly referred to simply as "viruses."

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