Difference between Antivirus and Antimalware

With the increase in the use of computers and the internet, the threat of malware and viruses has also increased. Security software has become an essential part of any computer system to protect it from unwanted attacks. Two of the most common types of security software are antivirus and antimalware. But what is the difference between them? In this article, we will explore the difference between antivirus and antimalware.

What is Antivirus?

Antivirus software is designed to detect, prevent and remove viruses and other malicious software from your computer. It works by scanning your computer’s files and directories to detect any signs of malicious software. If it detects any malware, it will either delete or quarantine the malicious code to prevent it from infecting your computer.

Antivirus software is designed to protect against known viruses and is updated regularly to provide protection against newly discovered threats. However, if a virus is not known or detected, the antivirus software will not be able to protect against it.

import os
import sys

def run_av_scan():
    # define location to be scanned
    scan_location = '/home/user/'

    # create an instance of antivirus
    av = Antivirus()

    # scan the location for viruses
    results = av.scan(scan_location)

    # print the results
    print(results)

    # delete or quarantine any found malware
    av.remove(results)

# main function
if __name__ == '__main__':
run_av_scan()

Python code for running an antivirus scan

What is Antimalware?

Antimalware software is designed to protect against a wide range of malicious software. Malware is a general term used to describe any type of software that is designed to harm or exploit any computer system. It includes viruses, spyware, adware, Trojan horses, and many other types of harmful software.

Antimalware software uses various techniques such as heuristics, signature-based detection, and behavioral analysis to detect and prevent malware from infecting your computer. It is designed to be more advanced and versatile than antivirus software and can detect and remove a wide range of malware.

let scan_location = "C:/"

// create an instance of antimalware
let malware = new Antimalware();

// scan the location for malware
let results = malware.scan(scan_location);

// print the results
console.log(results);

// delete or quarantine any found malware
malware.remove(results);

JavaScript code for running an antimalware scan

Differences between Antivirus and Antimalware

While antivirus and antimalware software are both designed to protect your computer from malware and viruses, there are some key differences between them:

Detection Methods

Antivirus software is typically designed to detect and remove known viruses using signature-based detection methods. On the other hand, antimalware software uses more advanced techniques such as heuristics and behavioral analysis to detect and remove any type of malicious software.

Scope of Protection

Antivirus software is generally designed to protect only against viruses, while antimalware software provides more comprehensive protection against a wide range of malware, including viruses, spyware, adware, and rootkits.

Performance Impact

Antivirus software is known for its significant impact on system performance, especially when a full system scan is initiated. Antimalware software, on the other hand, is designed to run in the background with minimal impact on system performance.

Updates

Antivirus software is updated regularly to protect against newly discovered threats. However, antimalware software is more versatile and is designed to adapt to new threats without requiring frequent updates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, antivirus and antimalware software are both essential tools for protecting your computer from malware and viruses. While antivirus software is designed to protect against known viruses, antimalware software provides more comprehensive protection against a wide range of malware. It is important to use both antivirus and antimalware software to ensure the best possible protection for your computer system.