Antivirus vs Anti-Malware - What's the Difference?

Often, people use the terms "antivirus" and "anti-malware" interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Even though both are cybersecurity measures, they serve distinct purposes in defending against malicious software.

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is designed to prevent, detect, and remove viruses and other malicious software like worms, trojans, and spyware. It works by scanning files on the computer, looking for patterns that match known viruses or malware. The software identifies and removes any threats it detects, protecting the system from infection.

Anti-Malware Software

Anti-malware software, on the other hand, is designed to detect and remove many kinds of malicious software, including viruses, trojans, spyware, adware, and ransomware. It takes a broader approach than antivirus software by using a variety of detection methods, including signature-based scanning, behavioral monitoring, and heuristics.

While antivirus software is primarily focused on preventing and removing viruses, anti-malware software provides a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.

Which one is better?

Both antivirus and anti-malware software are essential for protecting your system from malware, but they serve slightly different purposes. Depending on your specific needs, one may be more useful than the other.

Many antivirus software companies have expanded to include anti-malware features in their products, and many anti-malware products include antivirus measures, blurring the lines between the two.

At the end of the day, the best cybersecurity defense is a layered one that utilizes both antivirus and anti-malware software.

Conclusion

Antivirus and anti-malware software are both crucial tools for preventing and removing malicious software from your system. While antivirus is more targeted to prevent and remove viruses, anti-malware takes a broader approach and protects from various kinds of malware.

To achieve complete cybersecurity, it is always best to utilize a combination of antivirus and anti-malware software.

References

1. “Antivirus vs. Anti-Malware: What's the Difference?” Avast, 27 Oct. 2020, https://www.avast.com/c-antivirus-vs-anti-malware.
2. “Antivirus Vs. Anti-Malware: Which is Best for You?” NortonLifeLock, 2 Jan. 2020, https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-antivirus-versus-antimalware-whats-the-difference.html.
3. “What Is Antivirus? What Is Antimalware? What's the Difference?” McAfee Blogs, 16 Apr. 2020, https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/antivirus-antimalware-difference/.