G Data Antivirus is security software for Windows that checks files for malware and protects browser activity against phishing and tampering. It combines background monitoring with scans of selected files, drives and running programs. This paid Antivirus edition also includes email scanning and BankGuard for banking and shopping in the browser.
File monitoring
The virus guard monitors file read and write operations as the computer is used. It intervenes when a program attempts malicious actions or tries to spread infected files, so protection does not depend on the user starting a scan. G Data Antivirus also uses an idle scan to examine the computer during periods of inactivity. That scan can be started manually rather than waiting for the next idle period.
Several detection technologies work alongside one another. BEAST examines program behavior to identify unknown malware independently of virus signatures, while DeepRay uses artificial intelligence to help detect disguised malware. These checks supplement the scanner’s search for known threats.
Scan targets
A manual check can cover all local drives or a selection of drives, folders and individual files. The file and directory tree lets the user mark exactly which locations to inspect. Scheduled checks arrange recurring scans, while the removable-media option checks connected USB drives, memory cards and inserted optical discs.
G Data Antivirus also offers a memory and autostart check. It inspects the program files and DLLs associated with running processes and can remove malicious programs from memory and startup locations. A separate rootkit check looks specifically for malware that attempts to conceal itself.
The ability to detect an infection does not always mean the source can be cleaned. On a burned disc or other medium that cannot be written to, the program records the detection instead of removing the malicious file from that medium.
Quarantine
An infected file can be moved into quarantine, where G Data Antivirus stores it in encrypted form within a protected area. This keeps the item available for a later decision while preventing it from spreading an infection to other files.
The quarantine controls include deletion and an attempt to disinfect the file. If disinfection succeeds, the cleaned file returns to its original location. Files mistakenly quarantined by behavioral monitoring can be allowed in future checks.
BankGuard
BankGuard addresses manipulation inside the browser. An encrypted connection protects data while it travels across the Internet, but the browser must decrypt that data to use it. Banking Trojans can target this stage, changing information inside the browser rather than breaking the connection’s encryption.
G Data Antivirus checks the authenticity of the network libraries the browser uses to detect this kind of interference. BankGuard also includes phishing protection against redirection to counterfeit pages intended to collect account credentials.
Web and email protection
Web protection includes extensions for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. These extend checks against infected and fraudulent websites to browsing over HTTPS. Email scanning examines incoming messages and their attachments for suspicious content, adding a check at another point where malicious files can reach the computer.
Automatic updates maintain the software and its detection data. Update management lets the user specify when and through which connections updates are downloaded, giving control over downloads when moving between networks.
G Data Antivirus, Internet Security and Total Security
G Data Antivirus focuses on Windows malware scanning, email checks and browser protection. The dedicated ransomware-protection module, exploit protection, protection against tampered USB devices and a firewall belong to Internet Security and Total Security in the current product range. Total Security additionally includes local data encryption, USB access control and a performance tuner.
