UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Antivirus software scans files, memory and network activities to identify patterns associated with known or suspected malware. It can quarantine or delete infected files, block harmful downloads and provide real-time protection. These functions help maintain system integrity and reduce the risk of data loss or corruption in ICT environments. Therefore, the key purpose is to deal with malicious software.

Option A:
This option correctly emphasises detection, prevention and removal as the three main roles of antivirus tools. By regularly updating virus definitions and scanning, the software can respond to emerging threats. This is essential for securing educational laboratories and institutional networks.

Option B:
RAM capacity is a physical hardware attribute and cannot be increased by installing software alone. Although antivirus programs may help optimise performance indirectly, they do not change memory size. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

Option C:
Automatically converting all files into audio format is unrelated to security and could even damage data. Antivirus software does not perform such transformations. Therefore, this option is inappropriate.

Option D:
Blocking all Internet access might avoid some threats but would also remove many benefits of ICT. Antivirus software aims at safe usage of networks, not complete disconnection. Thus, the statement misrepresents its purpose.

Malware, short for malicious software, encompasses any program designed to infiltrate, damage or disable computer systems without the user's informed consent. Viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware and spyware are all types of malware. Recognising malware as a broad category helps users understand that threats come in many forms. Hence, the harmful programs described in the stem are collectively malware.

Option A:
Option A, freeware, refers to software distributed without charge and is not inherently harmful; many reputable applications are freeware.

Option B:
Option B is correct because cybersecurity literature clearly defines malware as an umbrella term for hostile or intrusive software, and the examples listed in the question are standard subclasses.

Option C:
Option C, open source tools, emphasises licensing and code availability rather than malicious intent, so it does not fit the description.

Option D:
Option D, device drivers, are important system components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware and are not necessarily malicious.

Antivirus programs scan files, memory and incoming data for known signatures or suspicious behaviour linked to malware. They can block or quarantine harmful code, preventing it from executing and damaging the system. Many tools also provide real-time protection to stop threats as they arise. Thus, their main purpose is to defend against malicious software.

Option A:
This option accurately summarises that antivirus software’s main role is to detect malicious code, prevent it from running and remove it when possible. That is why institutions install antivirus tools on lab and office machines.

Option B:
Increasing disk size requires adding or replacing hardware such as hard drives or SSDs. Antivirus software is purely a security program and cannot change the physical storage capacity of the computer.

Option C:
Creating presentations and spreadsheets is done using productivity software like office suites, not antivirus tools. Antivirus runs mainly in the background to protect systems, not to design teaching materials.

Option D:
Internet connectivity is provided by network infrastructure and service providers, not by antivirus software. While security tools may inspect web traffic, they do not themselves create or speed up the connection.