Malware vs Virus: What's the Difference & Similarities?

With new technological advancements continuously emerging, cybersecurity is becoming a paramount concern for individuals and organizations alike. Among the plethora of cyber threats, two terms are often used interchangeably, i.e., malware and virus.

However, the fact is that these are not the same and have distinct meanings. The term “malware” can be used for any sort of virus, but viruses can not describe malware types.

Here in this blog, we are going to explain everything about malware and viruses, so next time you use them accurately! Let’s begin!

What is Malware?

Malicious software, commonly known as malware, is used to describe any software program that can infect a computer, network, or server for malicious purposes. In simple terms, “malware” is an umbrella term that refers to malicious programs or code harmful to systems.

Cybercriminals use this for different purposes, like

Stealing money,
Bragging rights,
Sabotaging the work or
Making false statements.

Further, malicious software is broken down into several types, as explained below.

Types of Malware

Adware

This unwanted software shows advertisements on the web browser that appear legitimate. The target is to trick users into installing these on their PC, tablet, or mobile device so hackers can execute malicious activities.

Adware Attack Example: Adware called Firewall in 2017 took browser hijacking to the next level. It worked by injecting ads and manipulating search engines, affecting over 250 million computers worldwide.

Spyware

As the name suggests, spyware secretly spies on the user’s activities and reports this to the attacker. The worst part is this attack can be operated on a mobile phone as well.

Spyware Attack Example: In 2014, DarkHotel spyware targeted high-profile individuals in luxury hotels. Hackers gain access to their passwords and other personal information when individuals connect to the hotel wifi.

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts a user’s files or locks them out of the system and demands a ransom payment to restore access.

Ransomware Attack Example: In Feb 20222, Puma, the sportswear giant, lost access to half of its employees’s sensitive information when ransomware hit the company’s cloud provider, Kronos Private Cloud (KPC).

Trojan

It is one of the most dangerous malware that is also known as Trojan horse. These disguise themselves as legitimate software but contain malicious code that can exploit a computer system. Once inside the systems, the hacker behind the Trojan gains unauthorized access to the individual’s system.

Trojan Attack Example: Notorious banking Trojan Zeus steals sensitive data and login credentials through keylogging techniques. Since its identification in 2007, significant monetary losses have happened.

Viruses

These are self-replicating programs that replicate themselves by infecting other files on a computer. Viruses require human interaction to spread, such as opening an infected email attachment or executing an infected program.

Virus Attack Example: The Melissa Virus was one of the most significant cyber threats, causing significant damage to hundreds of businesses, including Microsoft. It was created by programmer David Lee Smith in 1999.

Worms

Worms are similar to viruses, but they don’t need human interaction or action to spread.

Worm attack Example: Worms such as Conficker, ILOVEYOU, and Blaster affected millions of computers worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars in damage.

Rootkit

This malware type is hidden inside a computer’s operating system to bypass security systems. Once installed, it gives attackers privileged access to the system and can be difficult to remove.

Rootkit Attack Example: Rustock Rootkit in 2006 created one of the largest malwares for sending spam that resulted in between 150,000 and 2.4 million infected machines.

Now, How do you Identify if a System is Infected with Malware?

Below are some of the signs that show malware infection on a system.

Reduced operating system speed and system instability, including frequent crashes, freezes, or unexpected restarts.

Mysterious loss of disk space

Unexpected pop-up ads appear on the screen, like “CONGRATULATIONS, You’ve won a free gift!”

The Antivirus software stops working.

Computers start exhibiting unusual behavior, such as programs launching or closing independently.

If the system is infected by Malware, it can delete, modify, or create files. So, if you come across unfamiliar files or folders, it indicates a malware infection.

Also Read: How to Identify Malicious Code? Examples to Defend Your SDLC

What is Virus?

A virus or computer virus is a specific type of malware that replicates itself and spreads across programs or systems. The main target of computer viruses is Windows users because there are more Windows users worldwide than Mac, and hackers always want more potential victims.

Let’s have a look at the types of computer viruses.

Types of Viruses

Boot Sector Virus

This virus targets the computer’s master boot record (MBR). The boot sector is an important part of the drive responsible for initiating the boot process and loading the operating system.

As soon as the boot sector virus infects a system, it either damages or takes control of this sector, preventing the computer from booting properly.

Boot Sector Virus Attack Example: One of the earliest boot sector viruses is Elk Cloner, which emerged in the early 1980s. It was attached to a popular game distributed on floppy disks. When users inserted the infected disk into their computer and booted from it, the virus would silently install itself into the boot sector of the system’s hard drive.

Browser Hijacker Virus

These types of viruses can change the browser settings, like replacing the homepage or changing the default search engine. Further, it also includes adware that causes unwanted pop-ups and advertisements.

Browser Hijacker Virus Attack Example: This browser-hijacking spyware redirects users to its own search engine whenever they open Google Chrome, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Every time they use its search engine, the site behind it generates revenue. But that’s not all. This invasive spyware may also tamper with browser settings, infiltrating the bookmarks and search history.

Web Scripting Virus

Web scripting virus targets web pages or applications by injecting malicious scripts into their code.

Multipartite Virus

Multipartite viruses are capable of infecting both executable files and boot sectors, which makes them more versatile and potentially more damaging.

Multipartite Virus Attack Example: Discovered in the late 1980s, the multipartite virus was one of the first-known multipartite viruses that spread quickly and could infect boot sectors and executable files.

Direct Action Virus

It is a type of computer virus that executes its malicious code when a user accesses or executes an infected file. Simply put, direct-action viruses typically target specific files and take action immediately upon execution.

Direct Action Virus Attack Example: Direct action virus named Rugrat could seek out all 64-bit executable files within the directory and subdirectories where it was executed. Upon finding these files, the Rugrat virus would infect them with malicious code.

Signs to Identify if your System is infected with Viruses

Unwanted pop-ups are appearing on the browser.

Computer programs are unexpectedly opening or closing by themselves without human intervention.
The computer system is running slower than usual or is crashing down.

Mass emails are sent through the user’s email ID without their consent.

Accounts being logged out or unexpected changes to the homepage.

Why Are Viruses & Malware so Commonly Misused?

The confusion between the terms malware and viruses is from back in the 1970s when some of the earliest malware attacks emerged.

At that time, individuals weren’t experts in technology and cybersecurity. This is why “virus” became a catch-all term for any kind of harmful software, regardless of its specific characteristics.

Even today, people use “virus” to describe any type of malicious software, even though malware is a broad term encompassing viruses and other harmful programs.

The Difference Between Malware and a Virus

The difference between malware and virus can be understood by the following parameters.

Attack Type

Malware: Malware is a broad term that describes any type of malicious software, including ransomware, keyloggers, trojans, etc.

Virus: Viruses, though, are a specific kind of malware. They replicate themselves and spread from one computer to another.

Propagation or Infection

Malware: Malware can spread through various means, including email attachments, infected websites, or malicious links.

Virus: Viruses typically require human intervention to spread, like opening an infected file or executing a malicious program. They can spread through infected files, documents, or programs.

Attack Operations

Malware: Malware aims to establish persistent access to a system, allowing hackers to steal sensitive data, spy on users, or disrupt operations.

Virus: A virus can’t cause any damage until activated by a user action, such as opening an infected file or clicking on a fraudulent link. Once activated, they can delete files or corrupt system functions.

Purpose

Malware: The purpose of malware can vary widely, including financial gain, espionage, sabotage, activism, or simply causing disruption.

Virus: Viruses are primarily designed to replicate and spread to other systems, potentially causing damage to files, systems, or networks in the process.

Ways to Protect Against Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses pose significant risks, but the strategies below can be used to protect against these attacks.

Exercise Caution with Emails

Never click on a link that seems suspicious, as 90% of cyber attacks start with phishing emails, text, or malicious links.

Now, how do you identify if a link is fraudulent or not? Follow the tips below.

Check for signs like spelling errors or inconsistencies.
Verify the sender’s email and domain name. If the sender claims to be from a legitimate organization, then the email address domain must include the organization’s name.
Hover over the link to preview where it is directed.

Be Careful While Downloading

Downloads are one of the easiest ways for hackers to spread malware in a system. So, whenever downloading files from the Internet, stay cautious of fraudulent ones.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

Download software only from verified sources and official websites. Never use third-party websites or download portals, as they may host malicious software.

Check the file extension before downloading it. If it seems like .exe or .bat, avoid it. But this doesn’t mean all .docx and .xlsx files are safe to download, as they may also contain malware if sent via untrusted sources. So, always verify the source!

If your browser or search engine displays a warning about a website or file, avoid interacting with it.

Enable Firewall Protection

Firewall protection shields the network from potential threats, both coming in and going out. However, some operating systems come with built-in firewalls, while home routers and antivirus software often include firewall capabilities.

By configuring firewall rules, you can manage which incoming and outgoing connections are allowed or stopped. This helps prevent unaccredited access to the network and stops malicious software from sending out sensitive data without user consent.

Keep Software Updated

Outdated software versions are more prone to security threats than updated ones. Therefore, it is recommended that operating systems, software applications, and firmware be regularly updated to patch security vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

Do not forget to enable automatic updates to ensure timely installation of security patches.

Ensure the Network is Secure

Network security plays a vital role in defeating malware and virus threats. If you are using Wi-Fi networks, set strong and unique passwords that can’t be hacked easily.

Further, consider using a virtual private network or VPN for secure internet browsing, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

Use Antivirus Software

Installing antivirus software on the system is the best prevention strategy against malware and viruses. This software performs automatic scans and updates to detect and remove malware.

Pro tip: Ensure that the antivirus software’s real-time protection feature is enabled. This feature actively monitors system activity and incoming files for signs of malware, providing immediate detection and blocking of threats before they can execute on your system.

Perform Regular Website Security Audits

Regular website security audits help identify and address vulnerabilities that could potentially compromise the system’s security. By doing so, you’ll be able to combat the concerns that may arise in the future.

The Bottom Line

Malware and virus prevention requires vigilance and security services protection. As these attacks are on a boom, it is essential for both individuals and businesses to follow the above security practices and protect their data from hackers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are malware and viruses the same?

No, malware and viruses are not the same, although they are related.

Malware describes any type of malicious software that exploits computer systems or networks. On the other contrary, viruses are malware that spreads by attaching themselves to legitimate programs or files.

Is Trojan a virus or malware?

A Trojan is a malware type disguised as legitimate software and downloaded onto a computer system.

How can I protect my system against malware and viruses?

You can follow tips to protect your system against malware and viruses:

Use antivirus software
Keep the system updated
Never use simple and easy-to-guess passwords
Think twice before clicking on a link.
Use firewalls and VPN