Okuzeka
Cybersecurity vocabulary · Malware

Antivirus

Meaning in cybersecurity, with examples

/ˌæntiˈvaɪrəs/nounCore term

In cybersecurity, antivirus means: Security software that scans files and devices to detect, block and remove malware, using known signatures and suspicious behaviour.

In Turkish: antivirüs, virüsten koruma yazılımı

How it is used

Often shortened to AV. People update antivirus signatures, run an antivirus scan or say that a file was 'flagged by antivirus'. In companies, classic antivirus is increasingly replaced or extended by EDR tools.

Example sentences

  1. The attachment was flagged by antivirus and moved to quarantine.

  2. Make sure the antivirus signatures are up to date on the build servers.

Common collocations

  • antivirus software
  • antivirus scan
  • antivirus signatures
  • flagged by antivirus
  • next-gen antivirus
  • malwareShort for 'malicious software': any program written to damage systems, steal data, spy on users or take control of a device without permission.
  • virusA type of malware that attaches itself to a file or program and spreads to other files when that program is run.
  • EDREndpoint detection and response: security software on laptops and servers that records activity, detects suspicious behaviour and lets analysts investigate and respond remotely.
  • endpointAny device that connects to a network and is used by people or runs workloads, such as a laptop, desktop computer, phone or server.
  • false positiveAn alert or test result that wrongly reports a threat or vulnerability when nothing harmful is actually there.

More terms: Malware

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: