What action does antivirus software take upon detecting a virus?

Antivirus software is designed to identify, isolate, and mitigate threats posed by malware, including viruses. When it detects a virus, the primary course of action is to quarantine or remove the threat. Quarantining involves placing the infected file in a secure area where it cannot harm the system or spread to other files while allowing the user to review it later. If the virus is particularly dangerous or known, the antivirus software may automatically remove it to prevent any potential damage to the system or data.

This proactive management is essential in maintaining the overall health of the device and ensuring that user data remains secure. Although there are other measures that security software can take, such as implementing a firewall or notifying users, the central purpose of antivirus software is to actively deal with detected threats, making quarantining or removal the most relevant action in the context of virus detection.