How do antivirus programs function?

Antivirus programs are designed specifically to identify, prevent, and remove malicious software, commonly known as malware. This includes a wide range of threats such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, adware, and spyware.

The functionality typically involves a combination of heuristic analysis and signature-based detection methods. By using signature-based detection, antivirus software can recognize known threats based on a database of malware signatures. Heuristic analysis allows it to identify new, unknown malware by examining behavior and characteristics typical of malicious programs.

Once a threat is detected, the antivirus program can take actions such as quarantining the infected file, deleting it, or repairing it when possible. This active approach helps maintain the integrity of the system and safeguard user data from exploitation.

In contrast, blocking all incoming network traffic would hinder legitimate communications, while monitoring user activity to prevent breaches is more characteristic of intrusion detection systems, and encrypting files does not directly relate to the detection or removal of malicious software. Thus, the primary role of antivirus programs is accurately reflected in the choice stating their ability to detect, prevent, and remove malware.