Computer security is a concern of every computer owner with a computer that connects to the Internet. A good way to protect your computer from viruses and other malicious software is to update your antivirus software regularly. Depending on how you use your computer, how often you need to update can vary, but in general, most manufacturers suggest that you update your antivirus software regularly, sometimes as often as every day.
Antivirus software may need daily updates.
Many people wonder why it is necessary to update antivirus software, and some believe that just installing an antivirus program is enough to protect your computer from viruses and other attacks. This is not true, however. Antivirus software is designed to scan files on your computer and any received files or downloaded data for known virus code. When the virus code is detected, the antivirus program takes steps to isolate or exclude the virus, protecting your computer and your data. Criminals, hackers, and other virus distributors are constantly creating and releasing new viruses and other malicious software, and if you don’t keep your antivirus software up to date, you may not recognize a new threat that isn’t included in its database.
Windows users are encouraged to regularly scan their computers and laptops for viruses.
Most people whose computers aren’t always connected to the Internet or who just browse a regular rotation of safe sites can probably update their antivirus software once a week or so. Viruses are rarely found on more conventional websites. Users who spend a lot of time online, have an always-on connection, or browse a lot, especially on unsafe websites, should update their antivirus software daily.
Many programs have comprehensive controls to set regular updates. Some even automate this feature, updating automatically every day or every time the computer is connected to the Internet, though less frequently than once a day. This is very convenient and means you don’t have to worry about remembering to update your antivirus software. Updating antivirus software usually means updating the database that the software uses to identify potential threats, but the software may also need to be updated from time to time. This should be done whenever the manufacturer offers an update, and most antivirus programs have an option that allows you to be automatically notified when an update is available.
