Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AP Computer Science Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the primary function of antivirus software?

To enhance processor speed
To protect against virus attacks
To manage network traffic
To backup system data

The correct answer is: To protect against virus attacks

The primary function of antivirus software is to protect against virus attacks, which involves detecting, preventing, and removing malicious software and viruses from a computer system. This protective measure is crucial because viruses can corrupt or damage files, steal personal information, and take control of a system, leading to significant security breaches and data loss. Antivirus software achieves this by continuously scanning files, programs, and applications for known threats using a database of virus definitions. It often includes real-time protection features that monitor system activities for suspicious behavior, allowing it to act quickly to neutralize potential threats as they arise. By maintaining the integrity of the system and safeguarding data, antivirus software plays a vital role in overall cybersecurity. The other options are not central to the function of antivirus software. Enhancing processor speed pertains to performance optimization, managing network traffic relates to networking software and protocols, and backing up system data is associated with data recovery solutions. All of these functions serve important roles but do not directly relate to the core purpose of antivirus software.