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Difference between Antivirus and Antimalware

Last Updated : 15 Jul, 2025
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Antivirus is a program that is created to search, detect, prevent, and remove software viruses from your system that can harm your system. Anti Malware is software designed for scanning, detecting, blocking, and preventing malicious programs from accessing our system. In this article, we will discover differences between Antivirus and Antimalware.

What is Antivirus?

Antivirus is a type of software program that helps protect the computer system from viruses. It detects the viruses in the computer system and destroys them. It protects the computer system from specific malware. It is used for protection from some traditional and simple threats that can harm the computer system. It is mostly used in personal computers for safety purposes.  Examples: Avast, QuickHeal, AVG

Benefits of Antivirus

  • Spam and advertisements are blocked.
  • Virus protection and transmission prevention.
  • Hackers and data thieves are a threat.
  • Protected against devices that can be detached.
  • To improve security.
  • Password Protection.

Drawbacks of Antivirus

  • Slows down system’s speed.
  • Popping up of Advertisements.
  • Security Holes.
  • No customer care service.

What is Antimalware?

Antimalware is also a software program but it protects the computer systems from all kinds of malware i.e., viruses, trojans, worms, etc. It protects the computer system from all kinds of malware. It is used for protection from some new, sophisticated, and more dangerous threats that can harm the computer system. It is mostly used in organizational computers for safety purposes.  Example: MalwareBytes, SpyBot Search & Destroy

Benefits of Antimalware

  • Protection Against Malware.
  • Improved System Performance.
  • Data Protection.
  • System Maintenance and Updates.

Drawbacks of Antimalware

  • Resource Consumption.
  • Subscription Fees.
  • Complexity and Maintenance.
  • Security Vulnerabilities.

Difference between Antivirus and Antimalware

ParametersANTIVIRUSANTIMALWARE
DefinitionAntivirus is a software program that protects the computer system from viruses. Antimalware is a software program that protects the computer systems from all malware i.e. viruses, trojans, worms, etc.
ProtectsIt protects from traditional viruses.It protects from all malware including newer and sophisticated ones.
Rule updateIt does not update its rules frequently.It updates its rules frequently so that malware detection is easy.
DangerIt protects from predictable danger.It protects from unpredictable danger.
Used inIt is mostly used in personal computers.It is mostly used in organizational computers.
CostIt is comparatively less costly.It is more costly.
DetectIt detects and destroys viruses which is a type of malware.It detects and destroys all malware including viruses too.
Features
  • Real time scanning
  • Remove threats
Techniques 

Techniques Used by Antivirus software-

Used by Anti-malware software-

System compatibilityIt is more used as it has system compatibility.It is less used due to its high rate and system compatibility.
ProtectIt protects against common types of viruses.It can scan and detect new iterations of infections.
ReliableIt is not reliable with the overall cyber protection of the computer system.It is reliable with the overall cyber protection of the computer system.

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