antivirus
Relating to software or protocols designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software from a computer system. It describes defensive measures taken to protect digital environments from infections like viruses, worms, and Trojans.
Examples
3 of 5I need to renew my antivirus subscription before it expires next week.
I must pay for my computer protection service again before the current period ends.
The organization implemented a robust antivirus policy to safeguard sensitive client data.
The company established strong security rules to protect private customer information.
Don't open that email attachment without running your antivirus first.
Check that file with your security software before you open it.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Anti' (against) + 'Virus' (digital sickness). It is the digital vaccine and medicine for your computer hardware.
Quick Quiz
The system was compromised because the ____ definitions had not been updated for several months.
Correct!
The correct answer is: antivirus
Examples
I need to renew my antivirus subscription before it expires next week.
everydayI must pay for my computer protection service again before the current period ends.
The organization implemented a robust antivirus policy to safeguard sensitive client data.
formalThe company established strong security rules to protect private customer information.
Don't open that email attachment without running your antivirus first.
informalCheck that file with your security software before you open it.
Heuristic-based antivirus systems offer superior protection against zero-day exploits compared to signature-based models.
academicLogic-based security tools protect better against new threats than tools that only look for known patterns.
The IT department reported that the antivirus software successfully neutralized the incoming threat.
businessThe technical team said the security program stopped the digital attack.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
run an antivirus scan
to initiate a search for malware on a device
update antivirus signatures
to download the latest threat detection data
antivirus shield
the real-time protection component of a security program
Often Confused With
A firewall filters network traffic to block unauthorized access, while antivirus software scans and removes malicious files already on the system.
Usage Notes
While 'antivirus' is technically an adjective, it is very commonly used as a noun in casual conversation to refer to the software itself. At the C1 level, distinguish between signature-based and heuristic-based antivirus methods.
Common Mistakes
Learners often treat 'antivirus' as a countable noun without an article; it is better to say 'an antivirus program' or 'antivirus software'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Anti' (against) + 'Virus' (digital sickness). It is the digital vaccine and medicine for your computer hardware.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'anti-' (against) and the Latin 'virus' (poison), adapted into computing in the late 1980s as computer viruses became a known threat.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern digital culture, having an 'antivirus' is considered a basic necessity of 'digital hygiene' for both individuals and corporations.
Quick Quiz
The system was compromised because the ____ definitions had not been updated for several months.
Correct!
The correct answer is: antivirus
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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