Guide: Antivirus and Antimalware in CompTIA Security+ Network Security Context

Why it is Important:
Antivirus and antimalware software are crucial for network security because they detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, reducing threats to network infrastructure.
What it is:
Antivirus and antimalware are software programs designed to protect computers and networks from malicious codes like viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware etc.
How it Works:
These programs scan computer files or memory for certain patterns that may indicate an infection. The patterns it looks for are based on signatures or definitions in a virus definition file, kept up-to-date through regular updates.
Exam Tips For Antivirus and Antimalware:
1. Understand the difference between various types of malware.
2. Focus on how antivirus and antimalware work, including signature-based detection, heuristic-based detection and sandboxing.
3. Remember the importance of keeping antivirus and antimalware software up to date.
4. Know the common symptoms of a malware-infected system.
5. Be aware of ways to protect a network against malware attacks, such as using firewall, intrusion prevention systems, and conducting regular scans and patches.