Why anti-viruses are called anti-viruses nowadays?

I've just checked 200 snapshots in Jotti's where snapshots in RAR/ZIP/CAB/COM formats were excluded. Totally 5.5 % of those snapshots were about viruses/worms. Still we have the official ItW list of viruses and programs like ANTI-VIRUSES. Are these a joke when the real threat is totally elsewhere?

Best regards,
Firefighter!

 

It has nothing to do with detected malware but rather history and how people named them back then. At first there were mostly parasitic viruses. So they called them anti-virus. Times changed and we got all sorts of trash. Name remained because everyone knows that anti-virus is against parasites that can damage your PC. Thats why majority of ppl still say the have a "virus" on their PC even though it's actually a Beagle or lets say Sober worm.
Compare it with Norton brand. Everyone knows it from the past. Pretty much the same is also for word "anti-virus". If someone that doesn't work with security everyday like we do wants to buy a "security solution" to protect his PC...
He'll see a Kaspersky Anti-Malware on the box. What's that for he'll say or even skipped it. But anyone recognizes the word "anti-virus" right away. Thats the main reason.

 

Note that some are starting to change what they call themselves...Esets NOD32 is now calling itself Anti-Threat, for prevention against threats, etc.

What used to be just viruses a few years ago has evolved into other types of threats, ad/spy/malware/trojans, etc.

Education of the public as they shift their focus can take a while.

 

Right attitude.

Best regards,
Firefighter!