Whats are the difference between these words?

[Ohmy]

Hi,

I had this argument on the other forum in my country,

about the difference between the word Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus.

I know it's really stupid, but I just wanted to be sure If I'm wrong or not.

1. What does a Anti-Malware differ from Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus?

2. Is a-squared Anti-malware a Anti-Virus? (I said hell no)

3. Is KAV a Anti-Malware? (I said it's a Anti-Virus)

I don't really know the difference.
Can anyone clear the meaning? Thanks

[Tarq57]

The lines are starting to become a bit blurred, but basically the word "Malware" can be considered to be anything undesirable, parasitic, or damaging.
The word "Virus" is a replicant piece of code that tries to attach itself to or overwrite , some, any, or all files on your hard drive.

Think of maths. The large set is "Malware". One of the subsets is "Virus."
Other subsets of Malware include trojans, worms, rootkits, adware, spyware and all permutations.

That said, as the lines are becoming blurred, most antivirus applications are also capable, in varying degrees, of blocking or dealing with some other forms of malware, also.

But basically, you win, I think.

[Ohmy]

-{ Quote: "The lines are starting to become a bit blurred, but basically the word "Malware" can be considered to be anything undesirable, parasitic, or damaging.
The word "Virus" is a replicant piece of code that tries to attach itself to or overwrite , some, any, or all files on your hard drive.

Think of maths. The large set is "Malware". One of the subsets is "Virus."
Other subsets of Malware include trojans, worms, rootkits, adware, spyware and all permutations.

That said, as the lines are becoming blurred, most antivirus applications are also capable, in varying degrees, of blocking or dealing with some other forms of malware, also.

But basically, you win, I think." }-

Thanks!
That guy admitted that he lost.
However, I also admitted myself, using your word,
that Virus is also a Malware.
:)

Regards

[denniz]

As long as you keep in mind that not all anti-malware tools offer the same protection as what the general public would call an anti-virus.

Although malware can be classified as lots of things (including viruses), often anti-malware tools don't offer protection against viruses. But nowadays most anti-virus tools will offer protection against all sorts of malware.

[BILL G]

MALWARE Rings a Bell I CK My Bookshelf + found Malware: Fighting Malicious Code. A= ED SKOUDIS + LENNY ZELTSER PUB 2004 .

Malware = Malicious Code Planted on your Computer.

Malware is a set of Instructions that Run on your Computer and Make your System do something that an Attacker wants it to do.

IMO A very good Book.

[HURST]

This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware) Wikipedia entry has easy to understand info.

[Fly]

Virus: strict definition: program that infects and replicates itself, the early viruses were often pranks, made by 'white-hat' programmers to show vulnerabilities in systems, to prove their own competence, or made by 'black hat' programmers for malicious purposes, typically causing downtime (like reformatting your harddrive).

Malware: all other software that does something undesirable (but this excludes malfunctioning software!).

These days, (by/for the wider public), the term 'virus' is often used for any kind of malware, except perhaps cookies.

Most mainstream antivirus vendors have 'antivirus' software that also protects against non-virus malware, with varying effectiveness.

[HURST]

-{ Quote: "Virus: strict definition: program that infects and replicates itself, the early viruses were often pranks, made by 'white-hat' programmers to show vulnerabilities in systems, to prove their own competence, or made by 'black hat' programmers for malicious purposes, typically causing downtime (like reformatting your harddrive).

Malware: all other software that does something undesirable (but this excludes malfunctioning software!).
" }-

I think you got it wrong. Malware is not all other software. Malware is all software that does something undesirable. This includes Virus, which is a subset of malware.

[Fly]

-{ Quote: "I think you got it wrong. Malware is not all other software. Malware is all software that does something undesirable. This includes Virus, which is a subset of malware." }-

In a way you are right, 'virus' is a subset of malware, but most antimalware software won't (fully) protect you against viruses, although this may be changing. (see VIPRE)

Although you might include in antimalware software: HIPS, Sandboxing, Imaging software, etc. But for the average user, this is more exotic.

But an antimalware program like A-Squared won't (fully) protect you against viruses, just like some others.

[Chappy]

Correct, Virus & Trojans are basically subsets of the term Malware (Malicious Software).

I think this post is kind of indicitive of just how blurred the lines have become lately...;)
I tested new unknowns for years and I still kinda intersperse the terminology sometimes, even tho I know full well what they mean. It's just the way things have evolved I guess.