Why should antivirus software be kept up to date?

Why should antivirus software be kept up to date?

• A. To disable other software and slow down the computer.
• B. To detect and protect against the latest malware and security threats.
• C. To update the browser automatically.
• D. To increase the system's hardware performance.

Answer: (B)

Keeping antivirus software up to date is essential because the landscape of threats changes constantly. New malware, ransomware, and other attack techniques emerge regularly, and updates bring fresh virus definitions and improvements to the detection engine. With current definitions and smarter detection methods, the software can recognize and block the latest threats, including increasingly sophisticated or previously unseen ones, helping prevent infections and data loss. Automatic updates also keep protection active with minimal user effort, so you’re less likely to leave a vulnerability unprotected. Other options aren’t the point of updating antivirus software: updates aren’t about slowing your computer or disabling programs, they aren’t meant to update your browser, and they don’t aim to boost hardware performance. The core purpose is to maintain effective protection against new security threats.

Keeping antivirus software up to date is essential because the landscape of threats changes constantly. New malware, ransomware, and other attack techniques emerge regularly, and updates bring fresh virus definitions and improvements to the detection engine. With current definitions and smarter detection methods, the software can recognize and block the latest threats, including increasingly sophisticated or previously unseen ones, helping prevent infections and data loss. Automatic updates also keep protection active with minimal user effort, so you’re less likely to leave a vulnerability unprotected.

Other options aren’t the point of updating antivirus software: updates aren’t about slowing your computer or disabling programs, they aren’t meant to update your browser, and they don’t aim to boost hardware performance. The core purpose is to maintain effective protection against new security threats.