How do scanners (anti-malware) function?

Scanners, particularly anti-malware scanners, function primarily by analyzing files for malware using a variety of detection methods. This process involves several techniques, including signature-based detection, which identifies known malware by comparing file signatures against a database of known threats. It can also employ heuristic analysis, which examines the behavior of files and applications to identify potentially malicious activity even if the malware is not recognized by signature.

In addition to these techniques, some scanners also utilize behavior-based detection, which observes the actual actions taken by software during execution to identify suspicious behavior. By leveraging these methodologies, anti-malware scanners can effectively detect and mitigate the risks posed by malicious software, ensuring the integrity and security of data on the systems they protect.

The other choices refer to functions that are outside the typical operation of an anti-malware scanner. Encrypting files prevents unauthorized access but does not detect malware. Backing up data secures it, but it’s not the primary function of a scanner. Monitoring network traffic for anomalies is more related to intrusion detection systems than to scanning for malware on files.