What is a major drawback of antivirus software?

The chosen answer highlights a significant drawback of antivirus software: the necessity of regular updates to effectively counteract new malware threats. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, with new malware types emerging frequently. Therefore, antivirus programs must continually update their virus definitions and detection algorithms to recognize and neutralize these evolving threats. If a user neglects to perform these updates, the software may not be able to defend against newer malware, making the system vulnerable to attacks.

While it is critical for good protection, the reliance on these updates can become a drawback, as users need to remain diligent to ensure their software is up to date. It’s not just about purchasing the software but also committing to ongoing maintenance and updates, which can be burdensome.

The other options touch on real concerns with antivirus software as well, but they do not encapsulate the ongoing challenge of keeping up with the fast-paced evolution of cyber threats in quite the same way. For instance, while the potential for performance slowdown is a concern, it is not as fundamentally critical to the efficacy of the antivirus software itself as the need for updates.