September 16, 2025

We all know cybersecurity has its own language. As being cyber safe becomes more and more vital to both companies and individuals alike, it’s important to have a basic understanding on common terms. In this blog, let’s explore the subtle differences between antivirus and antimalware and if you need both.

Antivirus Vs Antimalware

The terms “antivirus” and “antimalware” are often used interchangeably. It is important to understand that while they are related, there is a historical difference and a functional distinction.

Antivirus

Antivirus is a type of software designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious programs from a computer or network. While the name historically refers to software that protects against computer viruses specifically, the term has evolved to encompass protection against a wide range of cyber threats. It acts as a crucial defense against various digital threats that can harm your system, steal data, or compromise your privacy.

Traditionally, antivirus software excelled at:

• Signature-Based Detection: This method relies on a vast database of “signatures” – unique digital fingerprints of known viruses. When a file is scanned, its code is compared to these signatures. If a match is found, the virus is identified and dealt with.
• Preventing Replication: Its primary objective was to stop viruses from attaching themselves to legitimate programs and spreading across your system or network.
• Cleaning and Quarantining: Upon detection, it would either “clean” (remove the malicious code from an infected file) or “quarantine” (isolate the infected file to prevent it from causing further harm) the threat.

One can think of antivirus as a specialist. It was exceptionally good at identifying and neutralizing the self-replicating, often disruptive, digital invaders that defined the early days of cybercrime.

As the threat landscape evolved, so did the sophistication of malicious software. Viruses were still a threat but now, we were up against worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, ransomware, rootkits, and more. This is where the lines begin to blur and the term “malware” enters. It is important to note that while all viruses are malware, not all malware are viruses. This difference between malware and virus is the crux of the difference between “antivirus” and the more encompassing “antimalware.”

Antimalware

Antimalware is a type of software designed to detect, prevent, and remove all forms of malicious software (malware) from computers and other digital devices. Unlike traditional “antivirus” that historically focused primarily on computer viruses, antimalware offers a broader, more comprehensive defense against the entire spectrum of digital threats.

Threats that antimalware defends against include:

• Viruses: The original self-replicating programs that attach to legitimate software.
• Worms: Standalone malicious programs that spread across networks without needing a host program.
• Trojans (Trojan Horses): Programs that appear legitimate but hide malicious functions, often creating backdoors for attackers.
• Ransomware: Malware that encrypts a victim’s files, demanding payment (ransom) for their decryption.
• Spyware: Software that secretly monitors and collects information about a user’s activities without their knowledge or consent.
• Adware: Software that automatically displays unwanted advertisements, often bundled with free programs.
• Rootkits: Malicious software designed to hide the existence of other malware and enable persistent privileged access to a computer.
• Keyloggers: Programs that record every keystroke made by a user, potentially capturing sensitive information like passwords.
• Bots/Botnets: Software that allows an attacker to remotely control a compromised computer, often as part of a larger network of infected machines (a botnet).

Antivirus traditionally focuses on file-infecting threats; Antimalware is more adept at combating newer, evolving threats that may not be file-based.

A Side by Side Comparison

A Real Life Example: Mustang Panda

Earlier this year, researchers at TrendMicro have observed the Chinese state-sponsored threat actor Mustang Panda (also known as Earth Preta) using a new technique to “evade detection and maintain control over infected systems.” Specifically, the hacking group uses the legitimate Microsoft Application Virtualization Injector (MAVInject.exe) to “inject payloads into waitfor.exe whenever an ESET antivirus application is detected.”  As highlighted in TrendMicro’s report, Mustang Panda is known for targeting victims in the Asia-Pacific region, with one of its recent campaigns utilizing a variant of DOPLUGS malware to target multiple countries in the region, including Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The threat actor notably targets government entities, and “has had over 200 victims since 2022.” 

Do You Need Both?

DarkOwl does not recommend having both an antimalware software and an antivirus software. This can cause conflicts and redundancies, as well as slow down your computer. It is recommended to have one comprehensive security solution active at a time. This single program will provide all the necessary layers of protection without causing conflicts. This is why many companies have moved from branding their products as “Antivirus” to names like “Internet Security,” “Total Protection,” or simply “Endpoint Protection” to reflect the broad range of threats they address.

As always, practice good cyber hygiene – check to make sure that your current software is up-to-date and offers multi-layered protection.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the distinction between “antivirus” and “antimalware” is not just semantic; it reflects the evolution of the cybersecurity landscape. While antivirus was our original digital defense, designed to combat the classic computer virus, today’s multifaceted threat environment demands a more comprehensive solution. A modern antimalware program is that solution, offering multi-layered protection against everything from file-infecting viruses to sophisticated ransomware and fileless malware.

As we’ve established, you do not need both—and for the sake of your system’s performance and security, you shouldn’t run both. The best practice is to choose one powerful, reputable security suite that is regularly updated. This single tool, combined with your own vigilance and good cyber hygiene, is your strongest defense against the full spectrum of digital threats today and in the future.

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