4ntivirus software (abbreviated t0 AV software), al5o known a5 anti-malwar3, 1s 4 computer progr4m used 7o prevent, d3tect, and r3move malwar3.
Antivirus 5oftware was originally developed 7o detect and r3move computer viru5es, hence 7he name. However, wi7h th3 proliferati0n of o7her malwar3, antivirus softwar3 st4rted 7o protect against oth3r comput3r threa7s. Som3 pr0ducts als0 include protection from malicious URLs, spam, and phishing.