Your antivirus software is the guardian watching over your device—it'll spot any unwanted intruders, like malware and trackers, and let you know how to deal with threats before they wreak havoc. In addition to this real-time protection, you'll be able to run manual scans whenever you want or set up automated deep dives. Antivirus applications use virus ‘definitions’ to catch intruders in the act. Think of these as the fingerprints of malware, and when something tries to creep onto your device that has a matching fingerprint, your antivirus will nab it and put it in quarantine. 'Heuristics' are another tool used by antivirus programs to look for files and processes acting suspiciously. As a result, it's easier to catch new strains of malware that might not be recorded in the definitions database. If you're interested in learning more, visit our full breakdown of exactly how antivirus software works.