Sure, both refer to cybersecurity software, but what do these terms actually mean? What is the difference between antivirus and anti-malware, and are they both still relevant in dealing with today's online threats? Let's take a deep dive into the world of cybersecurity semantics and unpack these terms.Īntivirus is software that is designed to detect, protect against, and remove malware on a computer or mobile device. (For example, if they weren't in the database when your computer first encountered them.At Malwarebytes, we're all for precision - especially when it comes to two commonly confused cybersecurity concepts that get used interchangeably: antivirus and anti-malware. The anti-virus will catch most threats immediately, and the scanner will get any that slipped through the cracks. The general recommendation is to use scanning programs like MBaM in addition to a normal anti-virus such as Microsoft Security Essentials. But it consumes resources at all time and can interfere with normal operation. The active monitoring of anti-virus programs will catch threats much quicker. However, it won't protect you from malware between scans at all. MBaM's passive scan mode consumes no resources when you aren't specifically scanning and it doesn't interfere with normal operation at all. If an attempt is made to create or access a file that matches the virus database, a warning is produced immediately and the access is prevented.Įach mode has its advantages and disadvantages. When a file is executed, opened, or written, they scan it. Most anti-virus programs monitor system operation while things are happen.
It searches your system for malicious programs and gives you the option to remove them. MBaM is a scanner that runs when you choose to run it. The biggest difference between the free version of Malwarebytes AntiMalware and most anti-virus programs (paid or free) is the operating mode.