20 Antivirus Interview Questions and Answers

In order to protect your computer from malware, viruses, and other malicious software, you need to install an antivirus program. But what if you’re the one being interviewed for the job of antivirus software developer? In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common questions asked during an antivirus interview, so you can be prepared to answer them with confidence.

Antivirus Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Antivirus interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is an antivirus program?

An antivirus program is a type of software that is designed to protect your computer from malware, which is a type of malicious software. Antivirus programs work by scanning your computer for any potential threats and then quarantining or deleting any that are found.

2. How does an antivirus work?

Antiviruses work by scanning files for known patterns of viruses and then either quarantining or deleting the infected files. In order to do this, they maintain a database of known virus signatures. When a new file is scanned, the antivirus compares its signature to the signatures in its database. If there is a match, then the antivirus knows that the file is infected and takes the appropriate action.

3. Can you explain the difference between a virus, worm and Trojan horse?

A virus is a piece of code that is able to replicate itself and spread to other computers. A worm is similar to a virus, but is able to spread itself without needing to attach itself to another program. A Trojan horse is a piece of code that appears to be benign but actually contains malicious code.

4. What are some of the most common symptoms that indicate your computer’s been infected by a virus?

There are a few different symptoms that can indicate your computer has been infected by a virus. One of the most common is if your computer starts running slowly or if it starts crashing more frequently than usual. Another symptom to look out for is if you start seeing pop-up ads or other unwanted advertisements appearing on your screen. Finally, if you notice any new and unfamiliar programs or files on your computer, this could be a sign that your system has been infected.

5. Is it possible for a virus to infect a system without user intervention or action? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible for a virus to infect a system without user intervention or action. One way this can happen is if the virus is embedded in a document or email attachment that is automatically opened when received. Another way is if the virus is downloaded from a malicious website that the user visits.

6. Why do viruses spread so quickly around the world even though there are antivirus programs installed on millions of devices?

There are a few reasons for this. One is that new viruses are constantly being created, so there is always a risk of infection. Additionally, not all antivirus programs are equally effective at detecting and removing all types of viruses. Finally, even if a device has an antivirus program installed, it is not always kept up to date, which leaves it vulnerable to new viruses.

7. Do all antiviruses offer the same level of protection against malware?

No, all antiviruses do not offer the same level of protection against malware. Some antiviruses are better at detecting and removing malware, while others may not be as effective. It is important to research different antiviruses to find one that best suits your needs.

8. What are the different types of antivirus software available in the market today?

There are a few different types of antivirus software available in the market today. Some of the most popular include McAfee, Norton, and AVG.

9. Should a system administrator use the same antivirus software across all devices in the network or should they go with different solutions from different vendors?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best antivirus solution for a given network will depend on a number of factors, including the types of devices in the network, the operating systems they are running, the level of security required, and so on. However, in general, it is usually best to use the same antivirus software across all devices in a network, as this will make it easier to manage and update the software, and will also make it easier to detect and respond to any malware infections.

10. Does having multiple antivirus software running on my device at the same time reduce their effectiveness?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on a number of factors, including the specific antivirus software programs in question and how they are configured. In general, however, it is generally not recommended to have more than one antivirus program running on a device at the same time, as this can lead to conflicts and decreased effectiveness.

11. What happens if a virus isn’t detected when I send a file to another person using instant messaging services like WhatsApp?

If a virus isn’t detected when you send a file to another person using an instant messaging service, then the virus will be transferred along with the file. The person receiving the file will then be at risk of infecting their computer with the virus.

12. What are rootkits and why are they considered dangerous?

Rootkits are a type of malware that are designed to gain access to a computer system and then conceal their presence from the user. They can be difficult to detect and remove, and can be used to allow an attacker to gain control of a system without the user’s knowledge. Rootkits can be used to steal sensitive information, install other malware, or even disable the system entirely.

13. Why do hackers create viruses?

There are many reasons why hackers might create viruses. Some might do it for political reasons, in order to spread a message or disrupt a system. Others might do it for financial gain, in order to extort money from individuals or organizations. Still others might do it simply for the challenge, or to show off their skills.

14. Are viruses designed to cause harm or damage to our systems? Or can they be used to steal data as well?

Viruses are designed to cause harm or damage to our systems. However, some viruses may be used to steal data as well.

15. How do you protect against ransomware attacks?

There are a few different ways that you can protect against ransomware attacks. One way is to keep your computer updated with the latest security patches. Another way is to use a reliable antivirus program that can detect and block ransomware. Finally, you can also back up your data regularly so that you can restore it if it is encrypted by ransomware.

16. What are the main components of any antivirus solution?

The main components of an antivirus solution are the virus definitions, which are used to identify and remove viruses; the scanner, which scans files and programs for viruses; and the quarantine, which is used to isolate infected files and programs.

17. Is it possible to stop the spread of viruses across networks? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to stop the spread of viruses across networks. One way to do this is to have a central server that all computers on the network connect to in order to download updates and new software. This way, if a virus is discovered on one computer, it can be quarantined and removed before it has a chance to spread. Another way to stop the spread of viruses is to educate users on proper computer usage and security, such as not opening email attachments from unknown sources.

18. Is it possible to remove a virus manually once it has infected your system? If yes, then how?

It is possible to remove a virus manually, but it is a difficult and time-consuming process. You will need to have a good understanding of how the virus works and what it does in order to be able to remove it effectively. Additionally, you will need to be very careful not to delete any important system files in the process.

19. Why do many people decide not to install antivirus software on their personal devices?

There are a few reasons why people might choose not to install antivirus software on their personal devices. One reason is that they may believe that their device is not at risk of being infected with malware. Another reason is that they may not be aware of the benefits that antivirus software can provide. Finally, some people may simply not want to pay for antivirus software.

20. What exactly does a firewall do?

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall can be hardware-based, software-based, or a combination of both.