Antivirus or Anti-Malware?
September 17, 2024
Antivirus and anti-malware share many similarities as they are both globally classified as cybersecurity tools. Both types may offer active and passive protection features. Technically, the distinction lies in their system recovery abilities: an antivirus program can execute various recovery operations after a virus attack.
In their classic form, viruses are malicious programs that inject their code into other executable files to replicate. These actions not only slow down the system but also result in various program failures. Additionally, incorporating viral code into legitimate applications provides an easy pathway for exploiting vulnerabilities in specific programs.
On the other hand, anti-malware programs are designed to remove malicious programs and prevent their execution in the protected system. While some anti-malware tools may have limited system recovery capabilities, they typically focus on fixing system configurations and registry entries. It's important to note that anti-malware software cannot eliminate malicious code from programs infected by viruses.
Read also: 10 Ways to Protect Your Personal Data
How to Choose Antivirus or Anti-Malware?
When deciding between antivirus and anti-malware software, prioritizing essential functionalities is key. While a program with more capabilities may seem better, it's crucial to consider the cost associated with each program element and the developer's time investment. Adhering to the principle of spending only on necessary features is vital for cost-effective choices. Typically, full-size antivirus software tends to be more expensive than anti-malware programs. Opting for a program with the right balance of functions is essential to prevent unnecessary expenses.
If you use a limited number of programs and find that reinstallation won't be overly time-consuming, anti-malware software can be sufficient. This security tool class is designed to help you restore the system after a malware attack, though third-party software recovery may be required. Despite potentially having the same protective features as antivirus tools, anti-malware programs often offer a more cost-effective solution.
On the other hand, if your PC hosts numerous applications, or if you prefer not to spend considerable time reinstalling programs, antivirus software is the preferred choice. While it comes at a higher cost, antivirus programs offer comprehensive recovery, restoring both system apps/settings and installed software.
Features of a Great Antivirus Software
How can you determine that a specific security product surpasses others? It boils down to the number of features it offers. We're not referring to supplementary elements like VPN, parental control, or disk encryption. The aspects to focus on are directly tied to the anti-malware functionality. These include regular and frequent updates, real-time scanning capabilities, moderate resource consumption, automated system cleanup, and omni-directional protection. Let's delve into each one.
Regular and Frequent Updates
The malware landscape evolves rapidly, challenging even the most vigilant malware analysts. Software that isn't designed to anticipate future threats struggles to react effectively to new challenges. While a heuristic engine helps mitigate obsolescence, daily (or even hourly) updates are crucial for optimal security from your tool.
Real-Time Scanning
Real-time or proactive protection scanning involves continuous background monitoring of all processes running on your system. Whether you open a folder or launch an application, the antivirus tool conducts checks. This feature may consume more resources, especially on systems with HDD, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. A well-implemented heuristic engine, the foundation of proactive protection, detects all potential malware injection attempts.
Moderate Resource Consumption
Is it pleasant to have your PC frozen due to high CPU usage by antivirus? We don't think so. Security tools should not monopolize 80% or more of your CPU power, comparable to some malware. A proper antivirus protection tool must be resource-efficient, especially on weaker and outdated devices.
Automated System Cleanup
Considering the integral role of the Internet in our daily activities, a PC without an internet connection is hard to imagine. However, the internet is a major source of threats and system-cluttering files. A good antivirus software must include regular system scans and cleanup functionality. Ideally, it should offer both automatic and manually scheduled modes, providing users with maximum flexibility.
Omni-Directional Protection
While the internet is the primary source of malware, threats can manifest in various ways. Some antiviruses might overlook checking files from apps deemed trusted. This is unacceptable when seeking complete protection. Even with "trusted" apps, which are potential attack surfaces, it's better to err on the side of caution and conduct thorough checks.
How does Antivirus Software work?
Antivirus software is essential for protecting your system from various cyber threats. Let's explore the methods it employs for malware detection.
Signature-based Detection Mechanism
The classic method involves comparing file hashes with a signature database. Each program's unique signature is akin to a real person's signature. The comparison occurs locally and in the cloud database, balancing disk space requirements and detection rates.
Behaviour-based Detection Mechanism
Heuristic detection focuses on malicious behavior in processes. It scans running processes and their accessed folders, blocking suspicious activities. Once a match is found in the signature database, the related process is halted, and the malware is removed. This proactive approach forms the basis of most antivirus systems.
Well-designed antivirus software, such as GridinSoft Anti-Malware, empower users to choose actions against detected threats.
The removal process involves completely deleting virus files, bypassing the bin stage, ensuring a thorough clean-up of the system.
In summary, antivirus software combines signature-based and behavior-based detection mechanisms for comprehensive protection against cyber threats.