What is the primary function of antivirus software?

The primary function of antivirus software is to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, commonly referred to as malware. This encompasses a wide range of harmful programs, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Antivirus software continually scans files and programs on a computer, as well as monitoring system behavior, to identify threats based on known patterns and signatures. Additionally, it can prevent new threats from entering a system by blocking suspicious downloads or websites. This proactive and reactive approach is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of a computer system, protecting personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access and damage.

In contrast, enhancing internet speed is not within the scope of antivirus software; rather, that is typically managed by network optimization tools or internet service providers. Creating a VPN connection involves establishing a secure virtual private network, which is a function of specific VPN software, not antivirus applications. Lastly, managing system updates is usually handled by the operating system or dedicated update management utilities, rather than being a core function of antivirus programs.