What is the purpose of using antivirus software?

Antivirus software is specifically designed to prevent, detect, and remove malware, which includes viruses, worms, trojans, and other malicious software that can compromise system integrity, steal sensitive information, or disrupt normal operations. The primary function of antivirus software is to scan files and programs on a computer or network to identify potential threats, ensuring that systems remain secure from various forms of malware. It typically includes real-time protection that continuously monitors the system to catch malware before it can do any harm.

In contrast, monitoring network traffic for compliance, managing sensitive data, and defining user access permissions are roles that are typically handled by other types of security solutions or management software rather than antivirus programs. These functions might pertain to network security analysis tools, data loss prevention systems, or user access control mechanisms, respectively. Thus, the role of antivirus software is distinctly focused on safeguarding systems from malware.