What is the purpose of antivirus software?

The purpose of antivirus software is to protect against malware. This type of software is specifically designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, including viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, and spyware. By performing regular scans and monitoring system activity, antivirus software helps safeguard the integrity of the data and the overall health of the computer system. It plays a critical role in maintaining cybersecurity and ensuring a safe computing environment for users, protecting their personal information and sensitive data from potential threats.

While improving system speed, reducing storage space, and facilitating downloads are relevant aspects of computer performance and usability, they are not the primary functions of antivirus software. Its main focus is the security and protection of the system from harmful software.