What type of software is commonly used to protect against malware?

Antivirus software is specifically designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware from computer systems. It works by scanning files, applications, and programs for known malicious patterns and behaviors, effectively safeguarding devices against threats such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. By continuously updating its database of known threats, antivirus software can adapt to emerging malware types, providing comprehensive protection to users. This specialized function distinguishes it from other types of software, such as file management, which focuses on organizing and storing files, database software that manages data storage and retrieval, and web development software which is used to create and maintain websites. Each of these options serves a distinct purpose and does not provide the targeted protective measures essential for defending against malware.