Home > Ask the Enterprise Desktop Experts > Questions & Answers > The difference between antivirus and antispyware/malware software
Ask The Enterprise Desktop Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

The difference between antivirus and antispyware/malware software

Kevin Beaver EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Kevin Beaver

Pose a Question
Other Enterprise Desktop Categories
Meet all Enterprise Desktop Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Advice for securing Windows
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 06 April 2006
Could you give me a thorough description of the difference between antivirus software and antispyware/malware software? How do I know if what is infecting my computer is a virus or spyware/malware?


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google



RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


Generally speaking, anti-virus software can search for and protect against viruses, worms, and Trojans. Anti-spyware is usually a separate piece of software that searches for and protects against pesky pop-ups that install spyware, potentially dangerous cookies, Windows registry entries, etc. Both are needed to adequately protect a Windows system and you'll need to install/run both to search for pests that may be causing you problems.

Click here to view questions and answers from all of our Windows security experts.




Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Desktop Solutions - Windows for Enterprise
HomeTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsMultimediaWhite PapersBlogs
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy 		  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts