HOW ANTIVIRUS PROTECTS YOUR COMPUTER AND YOUR FILES

For example, here is a list of

the ways a good antivirus program
can assist in protecting a
computer with data on it:
ANTIVIRUS
Starting with the
obvious, an antivirus
program will protect
against computer viruses
, or attacks that mean to
damage a computer.
ROOTKIT PROTECTION

This prevents rootkits, which are

imbedded deep inside a computer in
order to mask other malware, from
establishing in a computer.
BOT PROTECTION This alerts a subscriber when a
cybercriminal is attempting to remotely
take over a computer to use as a source for
automatic spamming and other crimes. 
Bots are what botnets are based on (groups
of ordinary people's computers that have
been infected in order to carry out attacks
on other entities).
WORM PROTECTION
By definition, worms attack networks
rather than computers themselves.
However, worms can carry payloads
of malware that can be deposited onto
computers, which will then do
damage. Antivirus software can
prevent this sort of attack - stop 
computer worms.
 Antivirus software can’t stop a
TROJAN HORSES
person from being duped into
thinking that a desired downloaded
program or file is legitimate.
However, antivirus software can
warn them when malware is
detected within a Trojan horse file.
SPYWARE Antivirus software can detect when a
computer has been infected with 
spyware, or software that’s meant to
either collect data of usage or steal
information, even when the source came
from a reputable, legitimate source.