Which of the following is the best way of protecting important data against virus attack?

Strong passwords prevent unauthorized user access to the network but do not detect or block virus execution initiated by a legitimate user or an already-compromised session.

Daily backups enable recovery after a virus has already caused damage but do not prevent the virus from infecting or destroying the original data in the first place.

Antivirus software relies on an up-to-date definition database to recognize and neutralize known malware, including new variants released daily by threat actors. Regular updates ensure the software can detect the latest viruses before they corrupt, encrypt, or destroy important data. This makes it the best direct countermeasure specifically against virus attacks, addressing the threat at its point of execution.

A firewall filters network traffic and can block some malware delivery channels, but it does not scan files for viruses or prevent locally executed malicious code from running.