What detection method did early antivirus products primarily utilize?

Early antivirus products primarily utilized signature-based detection as their fundamental method for identifying malicious software. This approach relies on a database of virus signatures, which are specific patterns or characteristics associated with known malware. When a file is scanned, the antivirus software compares it against this database to detect any matches.

The primary advantage of signature-based detection is its effectiveness at quickly identifying known threats. This method allows for straightforward and efficient identification of malware that has already been cataloged, ensuring a high detection rate for recognized viruses. However, it is important to note that this method is less effective against new, unknown malware variants that do not match the existing signatures.

In contrast, behavioral analysis, heuristic analysis, and anomaly detection represent more advanced methods developed later to combat the limitations of signature-based approaches. Behavioral analysis examines the actions of programs during execution to determine if they exhibit malicious characteristics. Heuristic analysis looks for code patterns that may suggest malicious intent, even if the specific virus is not recognized. Anomaly detection monitors system behavior and flags irregularities that could indicate emerging threats.

The signature-based detection method laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements in antivirus technology, making it a critical component of the industry’s evolution in cyber threat detection.