What is the primary purpose of antivirus software?

The primary purpose of antivirus software is to detect and eliminate malware from a computer system. This functionality is crucial because malware, which includes viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware, can significantly harm a computer by corrupting files, stealing personal information, or causing system instability. Antivirus software works by scanning files and programs for known patterns and behaviors associated with malware, quarantining or removing threats to keep the system secure.

While some other software may aim to enhance performance or manage network connections, these are not the main objectives of antivirus tools. Their core function centers around protecting the system from malicious threats, ensuring the integrity of data and the overall health of the operating environment.