Sophos Certified Engineer Practice Exam

Antivirus is the feature that provides real-time protection against known malware. It works by scanning files and programs for signatures of known threats, allowing for immediate detection and blocking of malicious software as soon as it attempts to execute. This proactive approach helps prevent infections before they can compromise system integrity or lead to data breaches.

Other features, while essential for a comprehensive security strategy, serve different purposes. Web Filtering primarily focuses on controlling access to harmful or inappropriate websites, thereby reducing the risk of users downloading malware through web browsing. Application Control allows administrators to manage and restrict applications that can run on a network but does not specifically target malware. Device Control regulates the use of external devices like USB drives, mainly to prevent data leaks or the introduction of malicious software but does not actively scan for malware as it interacts with files.

Thus, the antivirus feature is crucial for providing the necessary real-time protection against known threats.