2007-04-22 18:24:59 · 3 answers · asked by Tommy 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
In general, it has a "pattern" or "signature" it looks for that's unique to the virus or whatever malware it's tracking. Sometime,s the pattern isn't unique enough, and you get a "false positive".
2007-04-22 18:27:51 · answer #1 · answered by Kasey C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
virus definitions are stored in a database on your computer. most of the time, the antivirus will recognize the coding in the file as harmful or corrupted. It might also recognize the virus in a process that is running on the pc.
if it is a REALLY crummy AV, it will be by file name only.
2007-04-22 18:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by Carlos Santana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has a database that it searches, usually you update this database regularly, or it might do it itself.
2007-04-22 18:27:21 · answer #3 · answered by Clay H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋