What is the primary role of antivirus software?

Antivirus software plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and security of a computer system by detecting, preventing, and removing malicious software. This includes viruses, worms, spyware, ransomware, and other types of malware that can harm a computer, compromise personal data, or disrupt system operations.

The primary purpose is to actively scan for threats in real-time, using signature-based detection and heuristics to identify potential risks. Once identified, the software can quarantine or remove harmful files to prevent them from executing or causing damage. By keeping systems safe from malicious software, antivirus programs help ensure that users can operate their computers without fear of attack or data breaches.

Other functions, such as backing up files, upgrading system performance, or encrypting sensitive data, although important in their own right, serve different purposes and do not encompass the core functionality of antivirus software. This focus on malware protection is what distinguishes antivirus software within the broader context of system security tools.