Malware vs Virus

The terms malware and virus are often used loosely and interchangeably to mean malicious or unwanted software installed on a computer. However, these two terms have distinct meanings, and understanding how to properly classify an infection is important when determining the potential impacts of the incident and best practices for remediating it.

What is Malware?

Malware is a general term for “malicious software” (which is also where it got its name). Malware can infect any device (desktops, laptops, smartphones, IoT devices, etc.) and can have various malicious purposes. Under the general malware category, malicious software can be broken into several different groups based on purpose and how it accomplishes its goals.

Some of the most common forms of malware include:

• Spyware: Spyware is designed to collect information about the user of an infected system and send it to the attacker.
• Ransomware: Ransomware encrypts or steals sensitive data and demands a ransom to restore access or to not leak the data.
• Botnet Malware: Botnet malware adds the infected machine to a botnet, using it in automated attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and credential stuffing attacks.
• Keyloggers: Keyloggers record users’ keystrokes on a computer, enabling an attacker to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data that users type into their computers.
• Rootkits: Rootkits are designed to conceal the presence of malware on a system, making it harder to detect and remove.
• Malvertising: Malvertising serves malicious or unwanted ads to a user to distribute malware or earn ad revenue for the attacker.
• Cryptojackers: Cryptojacking malware uses the infected computer to mine cryptocurrency for the attacker’s benefit.
• Fileless Malware: Fileless malware doesn’t store files on disk, instead infecting running programs or using legitimate tools to make itself harder to detect.
• Mobile Malware: Mobile malware infects mobile devices via malicious apps.
• Trojans: Trojans are malware designed to impersonate legitimate software that tricks its way onto a user’s computer.
• Viruses: Viruses are self-replicating programs that spread when a user opens an infected file or application.
• Worms: Worms can spread themselves without user interaction by exploiting vulnerabilities or sending out blasts of infected emails.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a specific type of malicious software. It is defined by the ability to replicate itself, spreading the infection to new systems. Viruses are activated by opening an infected file and can be spread via infected websites, emails, shared storage, flash drives, and similar means.

Viruses can work in a variety of ways. For example, a virus may spread itself using Microsoft Office macros or embed itself within a running application. Some viruses are also polymorphic, changing their code with each infection to make themselves more difficult to identify and root out.

The Difference Between Malware and a Virus

The terms malware and virus are often used interchangeably because they have significant overlap. A virus is a specific type of malware, but malware is a general term that also includes many types of malicious software that lack viruses’ ability to self-replicate.

How to Protect Against Malware and Viruses

Companies can take various steps to protect themselves and their users against viruses and other malware, including the following:

• Employee Training: Malware and viruses commonly rely on a user to install them by running a malicious application or opening a malicious file. Training users to identify and properly respond to potential malware can reduce the risk of infection.
• Endpoint Security : Endpoint security solutions can help to prevent, detect, and respond to malware infections. For example, antivirus and endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) can block malware attacks, while endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions aid incident responders in remediating an active infection.
• Email Security : Email is a common infection vector for malware. Email security solutions can identify emails containing malicious attachments or links and block them from reaching a user’s inbox.
• Web Security : Malware can also infect a computer via trojan horses or drive-by downloads. Web security solutions can monitor users’ browsers and inspect downloaded content before it is saved and executed on a user’s system.
• Mobile Security : Malware threatens mobile devices as well as desktop and laptop systems. Mobile security solutions can limit the app stores or apps used on a device and scan mobile applications for potentially suspicious or malicious functionality.
• Patch Management : Some forms of malware spread by exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in software. Regularly scanning for and patching these vulnerabilities can reduce the risk that an attacker can exploit them.

Malware and Virus Detection and Protection with Check Point

Malware and viruses are some of the most common and significant cybersecurity threats that companies face. A successful ransomware attack or data breach can carry a price tag in the millions. To learn more about the leading malware variants and the threat that they pose to your organization, check out Check Point’s 2023 Cyber Security Report.

Check Point Endpoint Security offers robust protection against malware and other threats to your organization’s endpoints. To learn more about its capabilities, request a free demo today.