Antivirus and anti-malware programs are foundational tools in cybersecurity, designed to detect, block, and remove malicious software. They offer real-time protection against threats such as viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

Functions of Antivirus Software:

Signature-Based Detection: Identifying known threats by comparing files to a database of malware signatures.

Behavioral Analysis: Detecting suspicious activity or patterns that may indicate malware.

Quarantine and Removal: Isolating and eliminating detected threats.

Limitations:

They may not detect new, sophisticated malware (zero-day threats).

Reliance on regular updates for maximum effectiveness.

Examples: Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender.