What is the main purpose of an antivirus program?

• A. To enhance internet speed
• B. To detect and remove malware
• C. To manage hardware resources
• D. To provide data backup

Answer: (B)

Antivirus programs are specifically designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware, which includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, and other malicious software. Their primary function is to continuously scan the system for any signs of suspicious activity or known threats, helping to maintain the integrity and security of the computer. They achieve this by utilizing signature-based detection methods and heuristic analysis to identify potentially harmful software, ensuring that the user’s data and system are protected from damage or unauthorized access.

In contrast, enhancing internet speed is unrelated to the core functionality of antivirus software. Similarly, while managing hardware resources is vital for a computer’s performance, it falls under system management software, not antivirus programs. Data backup functionality is also not a primary purpose of antivirus software; rather, backup solutions focus on saving copies of data to prevent loss. Hence, the main objective of antivirus software is to safeguard the system against malware and ensure safe computing practices.