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Resolved virus definition

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by Stang, 2011/04/28.

  1. 2011/04/28
    Stang

    Stang Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have Avast anti-virus software installed on my Windows 7 computer. Many times when I turn on my computer in the morning a screen comes up stating that my "virus definitions have been automatically updated ". Can anyone tell me what a "virus defintion" is? Thank you. Stang
     
    Stang,
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  2. 2011/04/28
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Virus Definitions are files that allow an antivirus program to identify, detect and handle viruses. Without these definitions the antivirus program has no way of differentiating between good files and bad ones.

    Technical answer:
    Antivirus programs try to find virus-patterns inside programs/files by scanning them for virus signatures. A signature is a characteristic byte-pattern that is part of a certain virus or group of viruses. Definitions contain references to signatures so the antivirus program can do this.

    All files are made of bytes. The antivirus program identifies viruses based on known patterns of the bytes in files. The antivirus program scans (compares the bytes of a file to the definitions) and either ignores the file or flags it as a virus.
     
    TonyT,
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  4. 2011/04/28
    Stang

    Stang Inactive Thread Starter

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    To TonyT

    To TonyT: Thank you very much for your response. Stang
     
    Stang,
    #3
  5. 2011/04/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Please mark this thread as 'Resolved', see .....
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2011/04/28
    Stang

    Stang Inactive Thread Starter

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    To PeteC: I don't see the words "solved" or "resolved. Stang
     
    Stang,
    #5

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