PC Magazine: Know Your Malware

If your antivirus truly did nothing but fight viruses, you'd be in big trouble. Fortunately, "antivirus" is a catch-all term for software that protects against all kinds of malicious software.

By Neil J. Rubenking
March 5, 2012

An antivirus program that only protects against viruses would be barely functional. In a review, I'd have to find some way to assign it a below-zero star rating. Computer viruses are one type of malicious software, but there are many, many other types. Understanding how the different types work and what they can do will give you a new appreciation for your hard-working security software and a better understanding of security in the news. Just refer to this glossary as needed.

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