What type of software is designed to scan computer programs for malicious threats?

Antivirus software is specifically designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious threats from computer systems. This type of software scans files and programs for known viruses, malware, and other security threats, using signature-based detection and heuristic analysis. It actively monitors system behavior for suspicious activities and can offer real-time protection against various types of malicious software, including worms, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware.

In contrast, firewall software focuses on controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks but does not typically scan files for malware.

Backup software is intended for creating copies of data to protect against data loss due to accidental deletion, hardware failures, or disasters, rather than for scanning or identifying threats.

Disk management software helps users manage disk drives, filesystems, and storage space but does not provide security measures against malware or threats.

Therefore, the primary function of antivirus software is to ensure the integrity and security of computer programs by mitigating risks associated with malicious threats.