In this 2nd installment of my mini-series about staying safe in an ever-increasing online world, I’m going to take a look at antivirus & anti-malware solutions.
Anti-malware vs Antivirus
The terms anti-malware, and antivirus are very similar and can be a bit confusing to some with regards to what they are, and how they work. So lets explore them both a little bit.
To begin, lets look at the words themselves: virus and malware
A virus is a specific type of malicious software, which like a human virus cannot transfer itself to another host without a carrier mechanism – in the world of IT, this would be something like an attachment in an email, or a file on a USB stick. In human terms, a virus typically is transferred through some form of bodily fluid – e.g. blood, or mucus. Viruses don’t magically jump from person to person.
In the early days of computing, we only had to worry about viruses, hence the term antivirus.
However, over time cyber criminals started to build new types of malicious code which work in very different ways to that of the traditional virus. So we now have to worry about worms, trojans, RATs, scareware, adware, boot-loaders, ransomware, spyware, and more.
“So why don’t we have anti-worm, or anti-trojan software?”
Well we sort of do with anti-malware.
The term Malware is a portmanteau of the words Malicious and Software and is used as an umbrella phrase for all types of malicious code – including viruses.
“Hang on… If a virus is just another type of malware, then why have antivirus and anti-malware – surely anti-malware covers it all right? We don’t need antivirus right – just anti-malware?”
well…..yes, and no…
Confused yet?
Antivirus software traditionally focuses on prevention – protecting a device by stopping it from becoming infected in the first place.
Anti-malware software however, is geared towards rooting out and destroying malicious programs that have already been downloaded and activated and reversing the damage they have done.
You can actually buy both types of software solution, but in most cases, modern anti-malware software does both things (and more in some cases).
“OK, so for home use, I just need an anti-malware solution?”
YES!
Right – so which one should I use?
Now that’s the million dollar question – The answer is….
Whichever one you think is best for you.
There are a few things to consider when shopping for an anti-malware solution:
- Look for a product that has a good reputation: Before purchasing any anti-malware product, it is important to do some research and read reviews from trusted sources to determine the product’s reputation.
- Consider the features: Make sure that the product you choose has the features that you need, such as real-time scanning, automatic updates, and firewall protection.
- Check compatibility: Ensure that the product you are considering is compatible with your operating system and any other software that you may be using.
- Multiple devices: Some licences allow you to install the software on more than one device, so check to see how many you can install the software on before you commit to spending any money
- Look for customer support: Choose a product that offers good customer support in case you run into any issues or have questions about the software.
- Check the price: The cost of anti-malware products can vary significantly, so make sure to choose a product that fits within your budget while still providing the features and protection you need. Most solutions offer free-trials, so check them out before you buy.
Ultimately, the best anti-malware product for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as well as the level of protection that you require.
“I use a MAC, so I don’t need an anti-malware tool – do I?”
While MacOS is generally considered to be more secure than other operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, it is still possible for Macs to be infected with malware. Therefore, it is generally recommended to have some form of anti-malware protection on your Mac.
Apple does provide some built-in security features, such as Gatekeeper, which helps to prevent the installation of unauthorized or malicious software. Additionally, Apple’s own XProtect anti-malware software is designed to scan your Mac for known malware and prevent it from running.
However, these built-in security features still may not be enough to protect against all types of malware, especially new threats. Therefore, it is still a good idea to use a reputable anti-malware product on your Mac to provide an additional layer of protection.
There are many anti-malware products available for Macs, including both free and paid-for options. So again, make sure to do your research and choose a product that has a good reputation and provides the features that you need.
“Can I just use Windows Defender?”
If you want to yes, but like with the advice for MacOS above, it might not offer a complete water-tight protection against all malware, so again it might be worth considering a third-party solution.