Antivirus software is an essential line of defense against malware, but its effectiveness depends on several factors, including: Regular updates to the virus definition database Comprehensive scanning capabilities Advanced detection techniques (e.g., heuristics, behavior analysis) Real-time protection and monitoring While antivirus software can protect against known malware threats, it may not be as effective against new or advanced malware variants. Therefore, it's important to complement antivirus software with other security measures, such as regular software updates, safe browsing habits, and advanced malware protection solutions.