Antivirus vs. anti-malware: Which one should you choose?

What is antivirus?

You can install an antivirus program on most systems, including computers and handheld devices like phones and tablets.

How does antivirus software work?

While each antivirus protection tool works slightly differently, the core functions are usually the same. Antivirus programs scan for viruses using three core methods:

• Signature-based detection: Antivirus software works by comparing the files and programs it scans with the threat signatures saved in its database. If a file’s signature matches a known threat signature, the antivirus software marks it as malicious. The file can then be quarantined or deleted. Signature-based detection is a good system, but unless the database is constantly updated, it may not be able to catch newer threats.
• Heuristic-based detection: Heuristic-based detection involves analyzing the code within a program and comparing it to a database of known malicious code. This approach means that even if the malware is not saved to a signature database yet, coded components within the software might still be flagged up. Many viruses reuse and build on the code of other malicious programs, so heuristic analysis tools can look for those red flags within files and apps.
• Behavioral analysis: Tools that use behavioral analysis monitor processes and try to detect unusual or malicious behavior. Instead of looking at the components of a program, these antivirus services track the way in which a program behaves and watches for actions (suddenly encrypting other files, for example) that are known threat vectors.

Limitations of antivirus

Antivirus software is designed to fight malware, and it’s effective at doing so. But like pretty much any other thing, it has limitations and can’t protect you from every threat. Even the best antivirus can only do so much, which is why it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. In some areas, the antivirus protection remains limited: 

1. 1.Detection of zero-day threats. Most antivirus programs rely on a database of known malware signatures. When a new, unknown type of malware (a zero-day threat) appears, it may not match any existing entries in the database and may therefore go undetected.
2. 2.Identification of obfuscated malware. Attackers modify malicious code or conceal it within legitimate-looking files, making it more difficult for traditional antivirus tools to detect.
3. 3.System performance. Continuous background scanning can eat up memory and processing power, which may slow down older and less powerful devices and cause noticeable lag.
4. 4.Coverage of non-malware threats. Antivirus software is built to detect, block, and remove malicious code, but it doesn’t shield you from other risks like phishing, social engineering, or compromised public networks.

And one more, less technical, limitation: Antivirus software can create a false sense of security. Many users assume it keeps them completely safe online, but in reality, it only covers a portion of today’s threats — mainly those that match known virus signatures.

What is anti-malware?

Anti-malware software and antivirus overlap in many ways, and they cannot be defined as being entirely separate. However, as we’ll explain, there are some features that are more likely to be found in anti-malware than in antivirus tools, which helps to create some distinction.

How does anti-malware software work?

Anti-malware works in a similar way to antivirus, identifying and neutralizing cyber threats. However, it has some key features that antivirus programs do not typically offer:

• Broader scope: Anti-malware software usually has a broader scope than antivirus software. It’s designed to detect and remove a wide range of malicious software beyond just viruses, and often includes specialized features like email scanning, additional firewalls, and even password protection. Typically, anti-malware software boosts overall security more than antivirus.
• Multi-layered approach: Anti-malware software typically combines a wide variety of detection methods, combining signature-based, heuristic-based, and behavioral analysis methods. This multi-layered approach enhances its ability to detect both long-standing and emerging threats.
• Zero-day protection: Anti-malware software is often better equipped to handle zero-day threats — malware that exploits vulnerabilities before security experts are aware of the risks. When malware protection focuses on heuristic analysis and behavior monitoring, it is usually more successful in identifying new, undocumented threats.

Limitations of anti-malware

Many people see anti-malware as the next layer of digital defense after antivirus. For the most part that’s true, because anti-malware defends against modern threats like ransomware, spyware, and trojans. But it's not perfect either — it has its weaker points too:

1. 1.Reactive protection. Anti-malware tools sometimes detect threats only after they appear and not beforehand. So if a file hasn't yet been identified as malicious, it can bypass the anti-malware system undetected and cause damage. 
2. 2.Integration with antivirus programs. Many security suites already include both antivirus and anti-malware features. Running separate tools may not be worth it and can even lead to software conflicts.
3. 3.Threat prevention. Anti-malware finds and removes infections but doesn’t always stop you from downloading or running malicious files in the first place.
4. 4.Detection accuracy. Anti-malware may sometimes flag legitimate programs as threats, which can interrupt what you’re doing or lead you to accidentally delete safe files.
5. 5.Network-level protection. Anti-malware operates on your device rather than at the network level. It doesn’t encrypt your connection, change your IP address, or protect your online traffic the way some other digital security tools can.

What is the difference between malware and a virus?

The difference between malware and a virus is mostly a matter of scope. Malware is the umbrella term for any software engineered to harm a system or its user. Ransomware, spyware, trojans, and adware are all types of malware, and each type operates differently and targets different vulnerabilities.

A computer virus is one specific type of malware that replicates itself by attaching to host files and executing malicious code when those files run. As the virus executes, it continues attaching itself to new files, which allows the virus to spread across devices and potentially result in lost data, hacked accounts, and significant system damage.

Differences between anti-malware and antivirus

People sometimes use the terms anti-malware and antivirus as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t. The difference comes down to the scope of what each protects against.

The software that is referred to as antivirus is usually built just to stop viruses and other registered threats targeting your device, while anti-malware tools perform more varied functions. It's not unusual for anti-malware to include extra features like password managers, ad blockers, and protection against more recent threats that haven't yet been added to official databases.

That said, the difference between them isn’t all that big. A program designed to detect and remove malware can be called both antivirus and anti-malware.

Are these security solutions enough for your online safety?

Antivirus and anti-malware solutions do a lot to keep you safe online, but they can’t shut out every possible threat. Cyberattacks today are more advanced, and many of them don’t follow the same patterns as traditional viruses.

Many of the tactics cybercriminals use today can evade the defenses of antivirus and anti-malware tools. Fileless malware, for instance, hides inside legitimate system processes and leaves no trace for scanners to find. Ransomware locks your files before defenses can react. Phishing attacks don’t rely on code at all — they trick you into sharing sensitive information yourself.

Even the most advanced detection systems can fall behind because bad actors constantly change their tactics. A new strain of malware can spread worldwide before it’s added to security databases.

That’s why experts recommend using several layers of protection. Antivirus and anti-malware software protect what’s stored on your device, while other tools focus on keeping your online activity secure.

Take, for example, a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel to a VPN server, there masking your real IP address with one from the server. From then on, your online activity becomes more private and your connection much harder to monitor, be it by trackers, hackers, or anyone else trying to see what you’re doing online.

But the main point in all this is pretty simple: No single tool can stop every cyber threat, but combining them — an antivirus, anti-malware, a VPN service, and good browsing habits — gives you a much stronger line of defense.

So, which one should you choose?

Since “anti-malware” and “antivirus” are largely interchangeable as terms, you should focus less on which category of software you’re choosing and more on the functions that it provides. A traditional antivirus will protect you well against established, documented cyber threats such as trojans and worms. An anti-malware program will serve you better against the latest malware types, including threats delivered through zero-day exploits.

But circling back to the point from earlier, no single tool can cover every angle and stop every cyber threat, which once again brings us back to why the security community has long advocated for layering digital protection tools. It’s sound advice in theory, but the problem with it is that stacking security solutions on top of each other means you have to manage multiple tools and multiple subscriptions — and subscription fatigue is already an unwelcome reality for most users.

And that is the problem NordVPN has an answer to — not by adding another tool to an already crowded setup, but by integrating the most critical cybersecurity features of digital protection into a single application.

NordVPN combines the most advanced VPN technology with a privacy-focused next-gen antivirus — a suite of tools that blocks scams and phishing attempts, stops trackers, scans files for potential malware when downloading, and includes a URL cleaner and Dark Web Monitor. And the best part about it is that you get this range of digital coverage in one application, under one subscription.

So if you are tired of stacking tools and paying for multiple subscriptions and want broader digital protection, we suggest you choose a modern solution — NordVPN, an all-in-one digital security app¹ designed to operate across as much of the current threat surface as a single security tool realistically can.

¹ “All-in-one” refers to the VPN, scam protection, phishing protection, tracker and ad blocking, and other features available within the NordVPN app, depending on your device and the plan you choose.

Additional security practices

Good cybersecurity is part software, part awareness. Installing protection is only one side of the coin. The other is using that protection correctly and maintaining good digital habits. So try to:

• Keep your software updated. Updates patch security holes in apps and operating systems. Turning on automatic updates closes those gaps before attackers can exploit them.
• Check suspicious links. You can determine whether the unfamiliar link you’re unsure about is dangerous or fake by using a link checker tool. This practice can help you avoid phishing attacks. 
• Back up important data. Ransomware can lock your files, but backups make sure you don’t lose access to them. So get into the habit of backing up your storage every once in a while.
• Update your passwords. Change your passwords regularly, especially if they’re weak or reused across multiple accounts. Always use strong passwords and store them safely in a password manager to reduce the risk of breaches. A strong password should be at least 10 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Add an extra layer of security. Try to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever you can. It’s a small extra step, but it keeps your accounts locked tight even if your password ever leaks.