Which of the following BEST represents the technique to prevent malware attacks by restricting access to potentially malicious sites?

Web filters play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity by preventing malware attacks through restricting access to sites known to harbor potential threats. These filters analyze web traffic and can block access to harmful websites based on a variety of criteria, such as URL categorization and user-defined settings. By preventing users from visiting these potentially dangerous sites, web filters reduce the chance of malware infections that could compromise sensitive information or disrupt system functionality.

While other options, such as patching the operating system, updating your web browser, and using a pop-up blocker, contribute to overall security and user experience, they do not specifically target the prevention of malware via access restrictions to harmful websites. Patching and updating help close security vulnerabilities but do not actively monitor or control which sites users can access. A pop-up blocker primarily prevents intrusive advertisement windows rather than managing site access based on their security status. Thus, web filters are the most effective tool for directly preventing access to potentially malicious sites and thereby mitigating the risk of malware attacks.