Antivirus programs help protect computers and networks from viruses and other malware. They work by scanning files and memory for known virus signatures and patterns. When a virus is detected, the antivirus program will remove it. It is important to regularly update the antivirus software since new viruses are constantly emerging. While no method can guarantee complete safety, maintaining updated antivirus software is an effective way to safeguard computers and networks from potential damage or data loss caused by viruses.