SANS Cyber Aces Practice Test

The primary function of anti-virus software is to detect and remove malware. This includes various types of malicious software such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Anti-virus programs use signature-based detection, heuristics, and behavior-based detection techniques to identify and neutralize threats. By regularly scanning the system and protecting it in real-time, anti-virus software helps to safeguard your data and maintain system integrity against potential attacks.

In contrast, deleting all files on a computer would not be a viable function of anti-virus software, as this action is destructive and undermines the purpose of protecting data. Monitoring network traffic is typically handled by other security solutions, such as intrusion detection systems or firewalls, rather than anti-virus software. Creating backup copies of files is usually the function of backup software, not anti-virus, although some security suites may offer limited backup features as part of a broader set of tools.