{ "id": "1ad0863e-dcb9-4ebc-a0c0-d8e02db099dc", "created_at": "2026-04-06T00:12:23.608269Z", "updated_at": "2026-04-10T13:12:44.32419Z", "deleted_at": null, "sha1_hash": "9d5d1549b4f231ca82b44413e82ac2f05154a288", "title": "Antivirus vs. Anti-Malware: Which One Do I Need?", "llm_title": "", "authors": "", "file_creation_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "file_modification_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "file_size": 399831, "plain_text": "Antivirus vs. Anti-Malware: Which One Do I Need?\r\nBy Panda Security\r\nPublished: 2024-09-13 · Archived: 2026-04-05 16:42:30 UTC\r\nAntivirus scans, detects and removes known viruses, while anti-malware protects you against all malicious\r\nsoftware, including viruses, spyware and ransomware.\r\nHave you ever clicked on a suspicious link only to realize your computer is running sluggishly or bombarded with\r\npop-up ads? You’ve likely encountered malware, and you’re not alone. Millions of households face cyberattacks\r\nevery year, putting personal data and family information at risk. To deal with these attacks, we need robust\r\ncybersecurity solutions like antivirus and anti malware, especially when we heavily rely on our devices for\r\neverything.\r\nIn this blog post, we will draw a thorough comparison of antivirus vs. anti-malware and answer some frequently\r\nasked questions (FAQ), helping you decide which one (or both!) is right for your home network.\r\nWhat Is Antivirus Software?\r\nAntivirus software is a tool that helps you scan, detect and remove viruses. It acts as a shield for your device,\r\nprotecting it from viruses (a kind of malicious software). Viruses can replicate themselves and spread throughout\r\nyour computer system, causing damage and stealing information. Think of them like a digital illness — they can\r\ncorrupt files, disrupt programs and even give hackers access to your personal data.\r\nModern antivirus programs go beyond identifying basic viruses, such as a heuristic virus, and offer features like:\r\nScanning your device for suspicious activity, including emails, downloads and even websites you visit \r\nIsolating malicious actors or removing them altogether\r\nWhat Is Anti-Malware Software?\r\nAntivirus software is a strong defense, but it’s not the only weapon in your cybersecurity arsenal. Anti-malware is\r\na type of software that helps you combat a wider range of malware than just viruses. It can be spyware that steals\r\nyour data, ransomware that locks your files or trojans that disguise themselves as legitimate programs. \r\nMalware protection is a great way to deal with such threats. A good anti-malware software program can help you:\r\nIdentify and remove various malware threats using techniques like signature-based detection (looking for\r\nknown malware patterns) and behavioral analysis (monitoring programs for suspicious activity) \r\nOffer real-time protection by constantly scanning your device for new threats \r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 1 of 7\n\nWhat Is the Difference Between Antivirus and Anti-Malware?\r\nBoth antivirus and anti-malware help you detect malicious software and protect against it, but they are not the\r\nsame. \r\nEven though “antivirus” sounds like it only fights computer viruses, it actually protects against many types of\r\nmalware that are common today. Antivirus and malware protection go hand in hand. Anti-malware goes one step\r\nfurther and focuses on broader, more advanced software threats, such as hidden keyloggers that steal your\r\nkeystrokes or rootkits that grant attackers near-invisible control over your device.\r\nThey complement each other to act as the highest level of defense against malicious software, along with healthy\r\nonline habits. In short, anti-malware detects more advanced forms of malware, while antivirus defends against\r\ntraditional, more established threats. \r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 2 of 7\n\nWhat Should Your Antivirus Software Include?\r\nKey indicators of well-rounded antivirus software include:\r\nReal-time scanning: Background scanning means the program will detect threats as you encounter them.\r\nAutomatic updates: Updates target any new forms of malware since installation.\r\nThreat removal: Your software should remove malware, not just detect and block it.\r\nUser-friendly interface: It must cater to those who prefer simplicity and want more control.\r\nWhat to Look for in Anti-Malware Software\r\nWhether you find separate anti-malware software or purchase antivirus with added capabilities, look for a program\r\nwith the following:\r\nSandboxing: This controlled environment allows the software to test suspected threats and determine\r\nwhether or not they’re safe to use.\r\nTraffic filtering: This type of filtering protects your device by blocking access to suspicious servers and\r\nsites involved with malware distribution.\r\nProactive security: Your software should scan, detect and remove known malware threats like trojans,\r\nadware and spyware.\r\nDo You Need Antivirus or Anti-Malware Software?\r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 3 of 7\n\nIdeally, you’ll want both antivirus and anti-malware for the most comprehensive protection. You need antivirus as\r\na strong first line of defense against common threats and anti-malware to tackle a wider range of advanced threats\r\n— worms, phishing, malvertising, cryptojacking, botnets and more. They work together to plug security gaps and\r\nprovide a layered defense against cyberattacks.\r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 4 of 7\n\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 5 of 7\n\nAs cyberattacks become more prevalent and sophisticated, simply understanding antivirus vs. anti-malware is not\r\nenough. You must know all the ins and outs, from antivirus software definition to malware vs. virus. Knowing this\r\ninformation can help you pick the best anti-malware or antivirus software. \r\nUsing both antivirus and anti-malware software, along with practicing safe browsing habits, you’ll create a\r\nlayered defense that makes it much harder for malware to infiltrate your device.  Consider exploring some popular\r\nantivirus options like Panda Dome, specifically made for home users like you so you can protect all your devices,\r\nyour privacy and your loved ones. You can also check out Panda Dome’s anti-malware for Windows, Mac and\r\nAndroid.\r\nUnderstanding the nuances of antivirus and anti-malware can be confusing. This FAQ section answers common\r\nquestions related to both software to help you pick the right defense for your device. \r\nCan I Run Both Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software at the Same Time?\r\nAbsolutely! Running both antivirus and anti-malware software is safe and recommended for the most robust\r\ndefense against cyberthreats. While some resource usage is possible, the benefits of layered protection outweigh\r\nthe downsides.\r\nDo Antivirus and Anti-Malware Programs Make My Computer Slower?\r\nThey can have a slight impact on your computer’s performance, but modern software is designed to be efficient.\r\nWhich Is More Effective: Antivirus or Anti-Malware?\r\nThere’s no single winner in this effectiveness battle. Think of it like home security: A deadbolt (antivirus) stops\r\nbasic break-ins, while an alarm system (anti-malware) deters more sophisticated attempts. Both work together to\r\noffer the best defense.\r\nHow Do Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Differ?\r\nAntivirus and anti-spyware target different types of threats. Antivirus protects against malicious programs like\r\nviruses and worms that can damage or steal data. Anti-spyware specifically targets spyware, a type of malware\r\nthat monitors your activity and steals personal information like passwords or browsing habits. \r\nPanda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard\r\nportfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has\r\nsince expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.\r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 6 of 7\n\nSource: https://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nhttps://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/\r\nPage 7 of 7", "extraction_quality": 1, "language": "EN", "sources": [ "Malpedia", "ETDA" ], "origins": [ "web" ], "references": [ "https://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/malware/multigrain-malware-pos/" ], "report_names": [ "multigrain-malware-pos" ], "threat_actors": [ { "id": "aa73cd6a-868c-4ae4-a5b2-7cb2c5ad1e9d", "created_at": "2022-10-25T16:07:24.139848Z", "updated_at": "2026-04-10T02:00:04.878798Z", "deleted_at": null, "main_name": "Safe", "aliases": [], "source_name": "ETDA:Safe", "tools": [ "DebugView", "LZ77", "OpenDoc", "SafeDisk", "TypeConfig", "UPXShell", "UsbDoc", "UsbExe" ], "source_id": "ETDA", "reports": null } ], "ts_created_at": 1775434343, "ts_updated_at": 1775826764, "ts_creation_date": 0, "ts_modification_date": 0, "files": { "pdf": "https://archive.orkl.eu/9d5d1549b4f231ca82b44413e82ac2f05154a288.pdf", "text": "https://archive.orkl.eu/9d5d1549b4f231ca82b44413e82ac2f05154a288.txt", "img": "https://archive.orkl.eu/9d5d1549b4f231ca82b44413e82ac2f05154a288.jpg" } }