Which software category encompasses protection from various threats, including spyware and viruses?

The answer is rooted in the understanding of various software categories designed to safeguard computers and networks from malicious software. Anti-malware software is specifically built to detect, block, and remove a wide range of malicious programs, including viruses, spyware, trojans, ransomware, and adware.

This comprehensive protection is crucial because the landscape of threats is continually evolving, requiring a solution that can manage multiple types of malware rather than just one specific category. While antivirus software focuses primarily on viruses and may provide some level of protection against a few other types of malware, anti-malware encompasses a broader spectrum of threats, thereby offering more extensive protection. This makes anti-malware the most appropriate choice when considering software that defends against a wide variety of online threats.

In contrast, antispyware is specifically targeted at spyware, and network security refers more to the overall security of a network infrastructure rather than individual software meant for endpoint protection. Thus, anti-malware stands out as the most encompassing category for threat protection in this context.