What is the main role of antivirus software?

Antivirus software plays a crucial role in cybersecurity by primarily focusing on the detection, prevention, and removal of malicious software, commonly referred to as malware. This malware can include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware, all of which can harm a computer system, compromise data integrity, or breach user privacy.

By scanning files and monitoring system activities, antivirus software can identify potential threats based on known signatures or behavioral analysis. Once detected, it can quarantine or remove the malicious components, thereby securing the system from ongoing or further threats. This proactive approach serves as a defense mechanism, protecting individual users as well as organizations from the risks associated with malware infections.

While the other options may relate to aspects of computer use, they do not define the primary purpose of antivirus software. Enhancing internet browsing speed and managing user passwords involves different tools and strategies not focused on malware protection, while regularly updating operating systems is a separate maintenance task that can complement security practices but is not within the scope of antivirus functionality.