What is the role of an antivirus program?

• A. To speed up system performance
• B. To prevent, detect, and remove malicious software
• C. To manage network connections
• D. To encrypt data across the network

Answer: (B)

The role of an antivirus program is fundamentally about securing computers and networks from malicious software, commonly referred to as malware. These programs are designed to identify, prevent, and eliminate harmful software such as viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, and spyware. They work by scanning files and programs to identify known signatures of malware, as well as monitoring system behavior for any suspicious activity that could indicate an infection.

Antivirus programs play a critical role in maintaining the overall security posture of systems by ensuring that malicious software does not compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data. They also often include real-time protection features that actively monitor system activity and perform regular updates to stay current with new threats.

In contrast, other options focus on areas not specifically related to virus and malware protection: enhancing system performance involves optimization tasks unrelated to security; managing network connections deals with how devices communicate within a network rather than malware protection; and encrypting data across the network focuses on safeguarding data privacy and confidentiality, which is a different aspect of cybersecurity not directly related to antivirus activities.