Antivirus software is essential in keeping your computer safe from malware, viruses, and other threats. But how do you know if your antivirus is working? In this article, we will discuss the signs that indicate your antivirus is working properly and what you can do to ensure optimal protection for your computer.

1. Regular Updates

One of the most important factors that determine the effectiveness of your antivirus software is regular updates. Antivirus companies constantly update their software to keep up with the latest threats and to improve the performance of their product. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your antivirus software is set to automatically update.

2. Regular Scans

Another way to ensure that your antivirus is working is by performing regular scans. Most antivirus software allows you to schedule scans for specific times or on a regular basis. These scans will check your computer for any threats and remove them if found.

3. Real-time Protection

Real-time protection is a feature in antivirus software that constantly monitors your computer for any suspicious activity. If it detects any threats, it will block them from infecting your computer. This feature should be turned on at all times to ensure optimal protection.

4. Notifications

Your antivirus software should also provide you with notifications if it detects any threats or if there are any issues with the software. These notifications should not be ignored and should be acted upon immediately to ensure your computer is protected.

5. Firewall

Most antivirus software also comes with a built-in firewall. A firewall is designed to block any unauthorized access to your computer. This feature should be turned on at all times to ensure that your computer is protected from any external threats.

6. Performance Impact

Antivirus software can have an impact on the performance of your computer. However, this impact should be minimal. If you notice a significant decrease in performance, it may be an indication that there is an issue with your antivirus software or that your computer is infected with malware.

7. Test Your Antivirus

If you want to be absolutely sure that your antivirus software is working, you can test it using an online antivirus testing tool. These tools will simulate a virus attack and check whether your antivirus software is able to detect and remove the threat.

Conclusion

Ensuring that your antivirus software is working properly is crucial in keeping your computer safe from threats. Regular updates, scans, and real-time protection are all important factors that indicate your antivirus is working. Notifications, firewall, and minimal performance impact are other key factors to look out for. Finally, testing your antivirus using an online tool can provide you with peace of mind and ensure that your computer is fully protected.

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