Is it necessary to run a virus scan from time to time on your computer?
Installing a good antivirus is essential to staying safe. There are many options available, although not all of them work the same way. Is it important to run an analysis from time to time? In this article we will talk about this topic. We will explain what you should take into account and under what circumstances you should run a system scan for potential threats.
However, having an antivirus program will not free you from all problems. There are many types of threats, such as phishing, that cannot be avoided by having a security program. This is where other very important aspects come into play, such as common sense or keeping everything up to date.
A few years ago, it was common to run an antivirus program from time to time and scan the system manually. It could detect suspicious programs, files you have that might pose a threat, etc. However, this has become automated over time and it is no longer common to do it manually.
For example, Windows antivirus performs scans on a scheduled basis. It scans the system for threats and sends a report of what it finds. It is used to find out if there is something that might compromise your security and put your personal data at risk on the network. With other antivirus programs, it is similar.
So we can say that it is not important to scan the device manually. In fact, the antivirus itself will do it from time to time. Moreover, unlike a few years ago, they also work more actively and not only when we open the program. This is important for real-time analysis.
Your current antivirus software has the ability to quickly scan the file you just downloaded. If it is a threat, it will issue a warning. It may even block the installation, in some cases.
However, there are situations when it is advisable to scan manually. This can happen when you connect an external storage drive, when you download files that you do not trust and want to perform a deeper analysis, etc. This will help you rule out potential threats that may be present.
- Don't trust antivirus alone.
Regardless of whether you run a scan from time to time with your antivirus or not, it is important not to focus solely on the protection software. It will be essential to maintain common sense. This means that you should avoid downloading software from unofficial sources, for example, as it is possible to install malware.
You should also be very careful about where you log in. Avoid logging in from sites that are not 100% secure. This applies to social networks, email, bank accounts, etc. Always make sure that you log in from trusted applications and links and do not fall into traps.
In short, it is a good idea to run a scan with an antivirus program from time to time, although nowadays it is not necessary to do it manually. At least, not always. The program itself does it from time to time, without you having to do anything.