What function does antivirus software serve?

Antivirus software plays a crucial role in protecting computer systems by specifically detecting and removing malware, which includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and other malicious software. When a computer is infected, this software scans the system for known threats, identifies their presence, and takes action to remove them or quarantine affected files to prevent further damage.

Security threats often evolve, and antivirus software typically updates its virus definitions and algorithms to recognize new forms of malware, ensuring ongoing protection. By actively monitoring system activities, antivirus solutions help maintain system integrity, safeguard sensitive information, and prevent unauthorized access to data, which is essential in today’s digital landscape.

While enhancing internet connection speed, backing up files, or organizing system data may be beneficial for system performance and management, these functionalities do not fall under the primary purpose of antivirus software, which is exclusively focused on identifying and mitigating malware threats.