An antivirus is a type of software that helps protect your computer from malicious programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans. It works by scanning your computer for any potential threats and then removing or quarantining them so they can't cause any damage. Antivirus software is essential for keeping your computer safe from the ever-growing number of cyber threats out there.

Antivirus software works by first scanning your computer for any potential threats. This can be done either manually or automatically depending on the program you're using. If it finds anything suspicious, it will alert you and give you the option to remove or quarantine the threat. Quarantining means that the file is moved to a secure location where it can't do any harm to your system.

Once the threat has been identified, the antivirus will then take action to remove it from your system. Depending on the severity of the threat, this could involve deleting the file entirely or simply disabling it so it can't run anymore. In some cases, an antivirus may also offer additional protection by blocking access to certain websites or files that are known to contain malicious content.

In addition to protecting against malicious programs, antivirus software can also help protect against phishing attacks. Phishing is when someone tries to get personal information from you by pretending to be someone else. An antivirus can detect these types of attacks and block them before they have a chance to do any damage.

Finally, antivirus software can also help keep your computer running smoothly by detecting and fixing any errors or problems with your system. This can help prevent slowdowns and crashes that can be caused by malware or other issues.

Overall, antivirus software is an essential tool for keeping your computer safe from malicious programs and other cyber threats. It's important to make sure you have an up-to-date version installed on your system in order to ensure maximum protection. Additionally, it's a good idea to scan your computer regularly in order to catch any new threats that may have slipped through the cracks.