What is the main use of an antivirus software?

The primary purpose of antivirus software is to detect and remove malicious software, commonly known as malware. This includes viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware, spyware, and other forms of harmful software that can compromise the security of a computer system. Antivirus software works by scanning files and programs for signatures of known malware and by monitoring system behavior for any suspicious activity that could indicate the presence of malicious software. It plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and security of data, protecting users from threats that could lead to data breaches, identity theft, or significant operational disruptions.

While other options related to improving system performance, managing user accounts, and creating backup files are important aspects of overall computer management, they do not directly relate to the core function of antivirus software.