Antivirus software helps protect your computer against malware and cybercriminals. Antivirus software looks at data — web pages, files, software, applications — traveling over the network to your devices. It searches for known threats and monitors the behavior of all programs, flagging suspicious behavior. It seeks to block or remove malware as quickly as possible.

Antivirus protection is essential, given the array of constantly-emerging cyberthreats. If you don’t have protective software installed, you could be at risk of picking up a virus or being targeted by other malicious software that can remain undetected and wreak havoc on your computer and mobile devices.

If you already have antivirus software, you may believe you’re all set. But it might not be that simple. With new and savvier cyberthreats and viruses surfacing, it’s important to stay current with the latest in antivirus protection.

If there’s any crack in your cybersecurity defenses, cybercriminals likely will try to find a way in. Ensuring your antivirus software is up and running, and up-to-date, is a good place to start. However, hackers, scammers, and identity thieves are constantly tweaking their methods, so it’s a good idea to get protection from a comprehensive security solution.

Antivirus software provides protection against these types of threats by performing key tasks:

• Pinpointing specific files for the detection of malicious software
• Scheduling automatic scans
• Scanning either one file or your entire computer at your discretion
• Deleting malicious codes and software
• Confirming the safety of your computer and other devices