A program developed to protect the computer from malicious software is referred to as

A program developed to protect the computer from malicious software is referred to as an "antivirus". Antivirus software is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware infections on a computer system. It can scan the computer's files, programs, and memory for signs of viruses, worms, Trojans, and other forms of malware, and can also provide real-time protection by monitoring incoming data for malware threats. Antivirus software is an important tool in keeping a computer system secure and protected from cyber threats.