An antivirus program is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans, from a computer or network. Its main roles include:
1. **Scanning for Threats**: It regularly scans files, programs, and system areas for known viruses and malware based on a database of signatures or behaviors.
2. **Real-Time Protection**: It monitors system activity in real-time to catch and block threats as they occur.
3. **Removing Malware**: It identifies and eliminates any detected malware, restoring the affected files or system to a safe state.
4. **Updating Definitions**: It frequently updates its database of virus signatures to protect against the latest threats.
5. **Preventing Infection**: It can offer features such as web filtering and email scanning to prevent malware from entering the system.
By performing these functions, antivirus programs help maintain the security and integrity of your computer system.