What is the role of antivirus software in a digital environment?

Antivirus software plays a crucial role in protecting computers and networks by scanning for known viruses in data. It operates by using a database of virus signatures to identify and eliminate malicious software (malware) that could compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information. By routinely scanning files and programs on a system, antivirus software can detect threats before they cause damage, ensuring that harmful code is either quarantined or removed entirely.

This preventive measure is essential for maintaining system performance, user data security, and overall network health. The ability to recognize and respond to existing threats allows users to operate in a safer digital environment. It can also provide additional layers of security by operating in real-time, monitoring incoming files and downloads for potential threats as they occur.