🛡️ A protection program 🛡️ Protecting computers

antivirus

3.4

Designed to stop, find, or remove computer viruses on your computer

adjective
/ˈæntiˌvaɪrəs/

Specialized

: antivirus

It is important to install antivirus software on your computer to protect your data.

Examples

Many email services now include antivirus filters to block harmful attachments.
The company updated its antivirus systems to defend against new threats.
I installed a new antivirus program on my computer.
This antivirus software is very effective.
To ensure your device is secure, you should always keep your antivirus software updated.
An effective antivirus program can help safeguard your personal information from malware.
This antivirus application automatically scans for potential threats every day.

Synonyms

anti-virus program

vsantivirus

Specialized

3 2.9

A tool that finds and removes harmful software from a computer

is the single-word name used more broadly for the same tools

antimalware

vsantivirus

Specialized

1 3.3

Software that finds, stops, and removes harmful programs like viruses on computers

is limited to handling viruses rather than all malicious programs

How Secure

cybersecurity

Specialized

26 4.1

security measure

Specialized

4 3.1

firewall

Specialized

62 3.9

antivirus

Specialized

3.4

password

281 2.5

Surface Forms

antivirus positive

Morphology

antivirus = virus (transparent) = anti + virus

The meaning is directly compositional: something that is anti-virus is designed against computer viruses.

Etymology

Antivirus comes from the parts anti- meaning 'against' and virus meaning 'poison' or 'germ'. So when something is called antivirus it is made to stop, detect, or protect against harmful computer viruses.