I don't understand what the functional difference is between "virus" and "malware". For example, if someone is using an antivirus product and gets a viral infection on their machine, they will probably run to Malwarebytes (MBAM) because most antivirus systems are poorly suited to removing an infection once it gets onto the machine.
I have found AVG to be one exception to that.
Also, Kaspersky includes a Virus Removal Tool (which I found after I deleted Kaspersky Pure 3.0 in favor of Webroot, because Kasp was too aggressive).
At the same time, Malwarebytes goes around giving away the free version which is a scan-on-demand anti-malware product that, somehow, definitely does remove virus infections that slipped past the antivirus. However, no one that I know would ever suggest that it's a good idea to buy the full "pro" version of Malwarebytes because (a) it is not a good enough antivirus to do the job of one and (b) any good antivirus would clash with Malwarebytes pro.
If this is true, then why is it never a problem to scan on demand with MBAM regardless of your antivirus?
If someone could please explain the real difference between "virus" and "malware" I think I could figure out the rest of the puzzle.
Thank you!
Is Webroot an antivirus or an anti-malware product?
+56It's a bit of an artificial distinction, I agree. Historically viruses were programs that infected your computer, for example from an email attachment, and might delete your data, or turn your computer into a bot for a DDOS attack. Malware was typically stuff that hijacked your browser to show you other ads, or install a browser toolbar without your knowledge. We've taken the approach that they're all bad and that we should block them all, and it doesn't matter what they are called. Due to the split in nomenclature and approach, in the past you might have had one program for AV and another to detect malware. Due to the way we handle our cloud-based security, the distinction is moot and we'll protect you from both.
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