An antivirus software is a program that continuously scans every action that takes place on your computer to block potential threats.
Contrary to what their name implies, they do not simply scan for "viruses". In fact, they monitor every action made on the computer with the power to block the action if it is not allowed in their settings.
You want to install a software on your computer? The antivirus program will look in its settings to see if you have granted the rights to write files in the folder where the installation is to take place. If you have not done so, the antivirus will block the installation.
Do you want to access the Internet from a program? The antivirus will check in its settings if you have granted the right to this particular software to pass the firewall.
And so on for each action.
The impact on performance
Thousands of actions are continuously scanned and analyzed by your antivirus software.
Let's take the example of our Heredis software.
The antivirus will scan and check everything, including the opening of the software, the opening of your files, and of course the saving and closing of your files and of Heredis.
Let's imagine that at the same time you open Heredis, you launch another action on your computer. The antivirus will also scan each component of this action...
These scans take time and resources, inevitably leading to slowness in the execution of the tasks you ask your computer to perform.
The strengthening of the power of anti-viruses
The more the years go by, the more restrictive antivirus programs become.
An antivirus is still a "stupid and nasty" program. It is asked to restrict: it restricts. It does not ask itself whether the restriction is relevant or not. It will simply look at its settings and check whether the action is allowed or not.
By default, a current antivirus program blocks anything it doesn't know about and that isn't clearly set to be allowed. This is how you end up with error messages about completely healthy software that poses no threat to your computer.
As mentioned, antivirus software is becoming more and more restrictive. That's why a program that you have been using for years without any problems will be blocked from one day to the next.
You should also keep in mind that a company like Heredis creates new software every year. When you buy a new version of the software, it is a brand new software that comes to ask to be installed and run on your computer.
The new version is totally independent from the previous ones, so you should not be surprised if your antivirus software blocks one version and not another: for it is two entities that have no connection between them.
How to avoid blocking?
Blockages are not inevitable: antivirus software can be configured. You can change the settings of your antivirus programs to make them less restrictive in general, or to allow software and actions that you know are safe.
Each antivirus is edited by a company. The maintenance and support of your antivirus software is the responsibility of its publisher.
It is the responsibility of each antivirus company to assist its customers in setting up the product.
Be aware that all antiviruses are different. They are extremely complex programs and their correct setting is of paramount importance for the security of your computer. Therefore, the only competent service to set up your anti-virus is the company that publishes the antivirus.
"I don't have antivirus software on my computer": this is not possible, we explain why
Every computer running the Windows operating system is equipped by default with an antivirus integrated into the operating system, no matter what happens and regardless of your wishes. This is Windows Defender.
This antivirus is perfectly operational and is sufficient to protect you in most cases, within the framework of a normal use of your computer and good practices on the Internet.
It is totally impossible to remove it from the computer. It is an integral part of Windows.
However, you can set it up in the same way as you would set up another anti-virus program.
By the way, if you uninstall a third-party antivirus, Windows Defender will immediately take over. It will be necessary to set up Windows Defender to allow Heredis to work properly.
This antivirus depends on the Microsoft company that publishes Windows. You have Windows on your computer, so you are automatically a Microsoft customer.
We remind you that Microsoft is a company like any other. It publishes an antivirus, so it is up to them to provide support. They are the only ones competent to set up the parameters of this antivirus.