How to Run an AntiVirus Scan

Antivirus scans are pivotal to staying secure online and protecting against viruses. A computer virus is a dangerous code installed on your device with the aim of altering the way in which your device runs. The aim of a virus is to steal personal information. Viruses are coded by extremely skillful criminal programmers with malicious intent. Viruses are carefully designed to exploit security vulnerabilities in computers to infect computer systems.

Cyberattacks are now capable of attacking your computer’s data, stealing personal information, spying on your device’s resources, and lowering the performance of your computer.

An antivirus scan will search your computer’s system to find and eliminate any viruses or other types of dangerous threats to the device. The majority of antivirus software programs on the market will guard against malware, spyware, trojans, ransomware, and general viruses.

Overall, an antivirus scanner is a cybersecurity medium with the goal of identifying and removing viruses from your device. This article explores how to run an antivirus scan on your device.

Why Are AntiVirus Scans Important?

Unfortunately, the internet is now filled with potential threats to your computer such as malware and viruses. If your computer becomes infected with one of these threats then it can be tough to clean your computer system fully of any viruses due to the way in which cybercriminals design their hacker programs.

With this in mind, the best possible protection for your device against virus attacks is to invest in an antivirus scanner. An antivirus scanner can prevent infections from happening by scanning files before you even open them. This will mean that the virus never gets the chance to infect your device.

A huge advantage of antivirus software is that it prevents virus attacks from happening. This is particularly useful in commercial settings. As a business, it is critical that you protect your systems from becoming infected as this could put your organization at great risk. Antivirus software prevents unwanted persons from corrupting your data.

It should be noted that prevention is the key to protecting your computer data, and prevention is far more reliable than attempting to find a cure if your device is corrupted by a virus. Therefore, whether you are protecting your business or simply your personal data at home, it is vital that you have a system ready to detect, prevent, and destroy viruses. If you allow virus attacks to happen then you will need to find a way to cure your infected computer and this could be extremely difficult.

In addition, looking at things from the point of view of a business, your company’s reputation could be at risk if a virus infection were to release personal information on your clients or customers.

Alternatively, the virus could send out emails or messages from your business to your contacts. This needs to be avoided to keep the positive reputation of your business.

Malware is the most common form of virus infection. Sadly, malware attacks can lead to your device becoming locked or unusable. With this in mind, it’s important for businesses to prevent malware attacks from happening by using antivirus scans.

How Do AntiVirus Scans Work?

Antivirus scanners are designed to detect, prevent, and eliminate malicious viruses in your computer. Regardless of how safe you are when using your computer, cybercriminals are still able to infect your computer with viruses through their newly developed strategies.

Antivirus software plays a critical role in a good security strategy. So, how do anti-virus scans work? Firstly, an antivirus scanner will run in the background of your device, checking each file that is opened and comparing these files to existing viruses. This method will prevent your device from becoming infected in the first place.

On top of this, the scanner will also run system scans to check that no viruses are lying dormant on your device. If your antivirus program locates a virus then it will prevent the file from running and put the file into quarantine. From here it will notify you. After this, you can choose to delete the virus or ignore the warning and allow the file to run if you believe it was a false detection.

An antivirus scanner works by scanning your system in two types of ways.

  1. Real-time scans
    These scans work in the background, checking files every time they are clicked on. You will be notified if something suspicious is detected. Due to the scan happening before the file is fully opened, the virus is prevented from infecting the system in the first place.
  2. Entire system scans
    Entire system scans are completed in one go and are designed to check your entire device for potential viruses. It may be helpful to run an entire system scan when you first install a new antivirus scanner. After this, entire system scans are not necessary to be run all the time due to real-time scans working effectively in the background.

How To Run An Antivirus Scan With iolo's System Mechanic ProShield?

Looking for a reliable antivirus scanner? iolo’s AntiVirus and AntiSpyware System Shield, which is included with System Mechanic Pro, can effectively scan your device for viruses and permanently remove any found infections.

The software provides highly advanced artificial intelligence, which means that you will be assisted in detecting any potential virus threats against your device.

What’s useful about iolo’s System Shield is that it will not weigh down your device, instead, the software restores system stability by acting as an invisible suit of armor, exterminating unwanted computer pests and parasites. On top of this, the software is capable of blocking bots, malware, rootkits, and any other dangerous threats to your device.

iolo’s HyperScan technology offers an undetectable suit of armor for your device to defend against unwanted viruses.

Here at iolo, shielding your computer from viruses and malicious spyware is our expertise. This antivirus software is easy to use and designed to be implemented on computers and PCs at home and in commercial settings.

Be aware that the longer you wait to protect your device from viruses, the more at risk your device will become.

If you’re looking to run an antivirus scan on your device then trust iolo’s reputable System Shield software to run an effective antivirus scan.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more.

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What is iolo's Whole Home License?

The Whole Home License® is iolo’s licensing policy that allows you to install and keep your software running on all of your compatible devices within the same home. Previously, users were allowed to install and license their iolo software simultaneously on a maximum of three PCs. Under the Whole Home License, a single activation key allows you to use your iolo software on all of your PCs, other than any PCs you use for business purposes. What you need to know about Whole Home Licensing

  • You, your spouse, and your relatives living within the same household may use the same license on any number of PCs that you own which are not used for business.
  • For full legal terms and conditions, see https://www.iolo.com/company/legal/eula/

To install your iolo product on additional PCs:

  1. On the additional computer, download the latest version of your iolo product. Choose from the list of downloads offered here.
  2. Follow the steps in the installation wizard, and enter the same Activation Key that you used to install on your original computer.

You can view the Activation Key on the original computer from within System Mechanic > red menu bar > key icon > Activation Key.