What is the typical function of antivirus software?

The typical function of antivirus software is to detect and remove malicious software. This includes various types of malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Antivirus programs work by scanning files and programs on a computer for known threats, using a database of signatures that identify different malware. They can also monitor the behavior of applications in real-time to identify potentially harmful activities that might indicate an infection.

In addition to detection, many antivirus solutions also offer removal tools, which automatically clean infected files or entirely remove the threats from the system. Regular updates to the antivirus database are crucial because new types of malware are constantly being developed and released. This continuous updating ensures that the antivirus software can protect against the latest threats, maintaining the security of the system.

Other functions, such as compressing files, managing network traffic, and backing up data, are beyond the primary role of antivirus software and are typically handled by other specialized applications.