To fully understand how it operates, it's vital to understand the four distinct layers of antivirus security.
The Four Layers of Antivirus Security There's no silver bullet with cybersecurity; a layered defense is the only viable option.
Without further ado, here's a rundown of the four layers of antivirus security.
This method involves collecting digital signatures from known malware, which are then stored in a file known as the Virus Definition File.
The AV software checks each file against a list of known malware signatures.
If a file's signature matches one in the VDF, it's either blocked or removed.
To enhance its effectiveness, AV software incorporates file reputation-based detection.
This system uses a database of file identifiers, such as MD5 hashes, to assess the file's trustworthiness.
Files with known hashes are quickly identified, helping the AV software to determine if an asset is safe or potentially harmful.
In AV, the software checks a file's 'ID' against a database.
If the file has a history of being malicious, it's flagged as a threat.
The third layer involves static analysis, a process where the AV software examines a file without actually executing it.
Static analysis helps in identifying potentially malicious files based on their characteristics, even before they are run on the system.
In AV, static analysis involves examining a file's properties like size, digital signatures, and other metadata to detect potential threats without running the file.
Unlike static analysis, this method involves executing the file in a controlled environment to observe its behavior.
If an executable file attempts to delete shadow copies, it is indicative of ransomware behavior.
Dynamic analysis involves running a file in a controlled environment to observe its behavior.
If the file behaves like malware, it's identified as a threat.
The effectiveness of antivirus software lies in the union of these four layers.
By integrating signature-based, file reputation-based, static, and dynamic analyses, AV software provides comprehensive protection against countless cyber threats.
This Cyber News was published on heimdalsecurity.com. Publication date: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 16:13:05 +0000