Antivirus software, also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware. It was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, but with the proliferation of other malware, antivirus software started to protect against other computer threats. Antivirus software scans files or a computers memory for certain patterns that may indicate the presence of malicious software, such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, and spyware. Once installed, most antivirus software runs automatically in the background to provide real-time protection against virus attacks.

Antivirus software typically performs the following basic functions:

• Scans specific files or directories for any malware or known malicious patterns
• Allows you to schedule scans to automatically run for you
• Allows you to initiate a scan of a particular file or your entire computer, or of a CD or flash drive at any time

The purpose of antivirus software is to defend a system against security threats and vulnerabilities and to provide real-time protection through automated vulnerability scans. Antivirus software provides benefits such as virus and malware protection, system performance improvement, and protection against cyber threats.

There are many vendors who produce antivirus software, and deciding which one to choose can be confusing. Anti-virus software typically performs the same types of functions, so your decision may be driven by recommendations, particular features, availability, or price. It is important to keep the antivirus software up-to-date because it relies on signatures and can only detect malware that has known characteristics.