Malware vs Virus

Malware is an umbrella term used for all types of malicious software. Viruses are a specific type of malware that spread by attaching themselves to files and programs, scattering through human interaction.

The distinction between malware and virus definition is often blurred, but it's really important to know the difference. Though Macs are historically safer than PCs, they aren’t immune to attacks. That's why learning how to check for viruses on Mac is really important, and today, we'll show you how to differentiate malware vs virus so you can keep your Mac safe and sound.

Before we begin:

 

Let's talk about staying one step ahead of digital threats. Given the amount of emerging cyber threats, having trusted antivirus software like MacKeepre is a must. With our app by your side, you can browse the web, download files, and click on links with confidence knowing that your precious data and personal information are being safeguarded every step of the way.

 

Here’s how to use MacKeeper to protect your Mac:

1. Download and launch MacKeeper.
2. Open the Antivirus scanner.
3. Start your system scan.
4. Remove the treats found.

What is a malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is a broad category designed to specifically harm or exploit devices and systems. While there are many kinds of malware, each programmed with unique features, they all share the same goal: steal, alter, or delete data.

The scary thing about malware is that it can spread in a few common ways. For instance, you may wonder, can you get a virus from opening an email? The answer is yes. Malware can also spread through software downloaded from unfamiliar websites or by accessing connected devices on the same network, exploiting security weaknesses and infecting multiple devices at once.

Types of malware

Malware comes in different forms, but you should be primarily aware of:

1. Ransomware
2. Fileless malware
3. Spyware
4. Adware
5. Trojans
6. Worms
7. Rootkits
8. Keyloggers
9. Bots
10. Mobile malware
11. Wiper malware

Having covered the different malware dorms, let's shift our focus to understanding their unique features and implications.

1. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files, making them inaccessible and demands a ransom payment for the decryption key. It often finds its victims through phishing emails that trick users into clicking on malicious links or attachments. The goal of ransomware is to extort money from the victim in exchange for restoring access to their data.

2. Fileless malware

Fileless malware can infect your device without leaving a footprint on your system. Instead of relying on traditional files, it hides in your Mac's memory and exploits legitimate system tools to carry out its malicious activities. With the increasing sophistication of Fileless malware targeting macOS, Apple users need trusted antivirus software like MacKeeper—it’s designed for Macs to protect them against these evolving threats.

3. Spyware

Spyware is malicious software that secretly collects information about your activities without your knowledge or consent. This can include sensitive data like passwords, PINs, payment information, and messages. A common type of spyware on Macs is a keylogger, which steals information by recording everything you type.

4. Adware

Adware bombards you with unwanted ads, interrupting your browsing and slowing down your device. It makes money for its creators by redirecting you to sponsored sites or showing pop-up ads. Adware often sneaks onto your device bundled with other software you download. While it’s not as dangerous as some other malware, it can still invade your privacy by tracking your online activities and collecting your personal information.

Note from our experts: 

 

Tired of unwanted ads ruining your browsing experience? With MacKeeper’s StopAd tool, you'll enjoy smoother, faster browsing without all the interruptions. Plus, it keeps your Mac safe and your privacy intact. Say goodbye to unwanted ads and hello to a cleaner, more secure browsing experience with StopAd.

5. Trojans

​​A Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to trick users into downloading and installing it. For example, VBS Malware-Gen was a type of Trojan virus on Mac that caused a scare among many users because of its ability to rapidly infect computers. It was particularly alarming because it could execute malicious actions without the user's knowledge or consent.

Thankfully, there are several ways to remove VBS Malware-Gen from Mac, but it’s best to make it a habit of regularly using an antivirus app like MacKeeper to keep malware at bay.

6. Worms

A worm spreads across networks and devices by exploiting security vulnerabilities. Unlike viruses, worms don't need a host program to attach to and can independently replicate and distribute themselves. Once inside a network, worms can quickly infect multiple devices, causing widespread damage and disruption.

7. Rootkits

Rootkits are sneaky software that hides malware or unauthorized access on a device. They can infect Macs through downloads, sketchy websites, or even if someone gets physical access to your computer. A rootkit might exploit a hole in the operating system to sneak onto your Mac and let hackers install malware or swipe your info without you knowing.

8. Keyloggers

Keyloggers are types of software that secretly record every keystroke you make on their computer. Usually, they steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal messages.

9. Bots

Bots are automated software programs that perform tasks on the internet, without people needing to do them. While they can be for good things like searching the web or helping with customer service, in the wrong hands, they can overload websites, steal content, and spread spam or phishing emails.

10.  Mobile malware

Mobile malware targets smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. It can come in various forms, such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, or ransomware. And just like computer malware, mobile malware is designed to steal personal information, track user activity, or gain unauthorized access to your mobile device.

11. Wiper malware

Wiper malware is a type of malicious software designed to irreversibly destroy data on a targeted device or network.Their main goal is to wipe it out entirely, causing serious problems for whoever's affected. To make this worse, wiper malware is often hard to find, so it's tough to stop it before it does major damage.

What is a virus

A virus, known as a computer virus, is a sneaky kind of malware that needs a host file and human interaction to successfully infect a computer. However, once a virus infiltrates a device, it replicates itself and spreads to other programs and files, potentially causing damage. You might get a virus infection from opening a bad file, visiting untrusted sites, or sharing flash drives.

Types of viruses

With the advancement in tech, cybercriminals have continuously released new viruses to exploit vulnerabilities in software. Here are some of a few:

1. Boot sector virus
2. Web scripting virus
3. Browser hijacker
4. Resident virus
5. Direct action virus
6. Polymorphic virus
7. File infector virus
8. Multipartite virus
9. Macro virus

Now that we've covered different types of viruses, let's move on to understanding what each virus does and how they operate.

1. Boot sector virus

A boot sector virus infects the master boot record of a device, making it challenging to boot up properly. When it infects a MacBook, it can prevent the OS from loading correctly, causing startup errors and system crashes.

2. Web scripting virus

A web scripting virus injects malicious code into web pages, which can then infect users who visit those pages. If it infects your Mac, it can compromise your browsing experience and potential data theft.

3. Browser hijacker

A browser hijacker redirects web browser activity to malicious websites without your consent. It can alter browser settings, change the default homepage or search engine, and bombard you with unwanted ads.

4. Resident virus

A resident virus embeds itself into a device's memory and remains active even after the initial infection. It can continuously monitor and control system processes, causing slower performance and potential system instability.

5. Direct action virus

A direct action virus targets specific files and typically doesn’t spread automatically. Direct action viruses can also corrupt or delete the targeted files, leading to data loss and system malfunctions.

6. Polymorphic virus

A polymorphic virus changes its code each time it infects a new file or device, making it difficult to detect using traditional antivirus software. It can evade detection and spread rapidly, damaging files and apps.

7. File infector virus

A file infector virus latches onto executable files, spreading when these infected files are opened. On a MacBook, it can damage executable files as well as cause software glitches and harm the OS.

Hint from our team: 

 

Safeguard your browsing experience against malicious ads that could compromise your privacy and security. With MacKeeper, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your online activities are shielded from unwanted distractions and potential risks.​​

8. Multipartite virus

A multipartite virus is a type of malware that can infect multiple parts of your Mac’s system, including files, the boot sector, and memory. When infected, it can simultaneously attack different areas of your computer system.

9. Macro virus

A macro virus infects files created using application macros, such as those found in Microsoft Office documents. It can exploit vulnerabilities in productivity software, causing the documents to behave unexpectedly.

Difference between malware and virus

Malware is an umbrella term that covers all types of harmful software, while viruses are a specific subset of malware that spreads specifically by attaching to files.

Here are other ways you can tell the difference between malware and virus:

1. Type of infection
2. How are your devices infected
3. How the infection plays out
4. Infection outcome

Let's break down the key distinctions between malware and viruses even further.

1. Type of infection

As mentioned earlier, malware is a broad category of attacks that includes ransomware, keyloggers, Trojans, worms, spyware, and viruses. While viruses can take many forms, they share one trait—spread by self-replication.

2. How are your devices infected

Malware attacks usually begin through phishing, social engineering tricks, or malicious attachments and downloads.

Viruses, on the other hand, often spread through web applications, software, and email. They can also be transmitted via infected websites, downloaded content, and corrupted storage devices.

3. How the infection plays out

Malware attacks operate in different ways but often start by securing ongoing access to an OS, letting attackers enter the network whenever they want. Once inside, it can send back sensitive data to the attacker.

Viruses, however, stay dormant until the user activates them by opening an infected app, downloading a bad file, or clicking an infected link. Then, they can encrypt data, take over system functions, or disable security settings.

4. Infection outcome

The impact of a malware attack can vary widely depending on its type and intent. Take ransomware attacks, for example, where cybercriminals demand payment in exchange for restoring system access. Conversely, in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, the goal is often pure disruption without a specific financial motive.

Viruses, however, usually aim to cause direct harm to the victim's device or network. Unlike ransomware, virus attacks typically don’t lead to direct financial gain for the attacker, unless they are part of a broader, profit-driven malware scheme.

How can you protect against malware and viruses

Here’s how you can keep your Mac safe from malware and viruses:

1. Back up your data regularly
2. Use antivirus software
3. Don’t click on suspicious links and attachments
4. Regularly update your macOS
5. Avoid using browser-based password managers
6. Never download apps, movies, or software from untrusted sites

By following these steps, you can avoid most malware and virus problems on your Mac. Now, let's walk you through each step in detail.

1. Back up your data regularly

Time Machine is one of the quickest and easiest ways to back up your Mac data. Plus, it’s the built-in backup tool for Macs that, unlike storing backups in iCloud, saves them to an external drive. Here's how to set up Time Machine on your Mac:

1. Open Disk Utility and select your external drive.
2. Click the Erase button and choose the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.
3. Go to Time Machine in the System Settings.
4. Click Select Backup Disk.
5. Choose your external drive, then click Use Disk.
6. To enable automatic backups, check the box next to Back Up Automatically.

2. Use antivirus software

While there are plenty of methods to learn how to get rid of malware on Mac, the manual process can often be laborious and overly technical. That's where investing in antivirus software like MacKeeper comes in handy:

1. Open MacKeeper.
2. Go to the Antivirus tab.
3. Click on the Scan button to start the system scan.
4. Once the scan is complete, if any threats are found, click the blue Delete button to remove them from your system.

MacKeeper does a few key things. It checks new downloads to make sure they're safe, scans your computer regularly for any hidden threats, and gets updated regularly to keep up with the latest malware.

3. Don't click on suspicious links and attachments

Think clicking on a link is harmless? Think again. Just one click can spell trouble for your Mac, online privacy, and identity. Behind suspicious links lurk potential threats like viruses, malware, and deceptive schemes. A seemingly innocent link could lead to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials. Before you know it, you've handed over your username, password, or security answers to scammers who can exploit your accounts and make unauthorized purchases.

4. Regularly update your macOS

Regularly keeping macOS up-to-date is really important for your device. Updates help protect your Mac from cyber threats and sometimes contain bug fixes and improvements that enhance the overall performance of your Mac. To update macOS:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. In the System Settings window, click on Software Update. Your Mac will now check for available updates. If any updates are found, they will be displayed.
4. Click on the Update Now button to download and install the updates.
5. Once the updates are installed, your Mac may need to restart to apply the changes. If so, click on the Restart button.

And that's it! Your macOS is now updated to the latest version.

5. Avoid using browser-based password managers

Steering clear of browser-based password managers is a smart move to dodge virus and malware attacks. These tools are often targeted by cybercriminals due to their vulnerabilities. Besides, they store your passwords locally or in the cloud, making your sensitive info more exposed to potential breaches. Instead, opting for dedicated password manager apps with solid security features gives you better peace of mind and keeps your data safer.

6. Never download apps, movies, or software from untrusted sites

There are a lot of extremely convincing untrustworthy websites that lure you in with promises of free movies, apps, and software. Downloading from these sites often means you're inviting malware onto your device, putting your data at risk. Play it safe by only downloading from reliable sources. Avoid the malware mayhem and keep your Mac in the clear.

Upgrade your Mac's defense system with antivirus you can trust

Considering all the different types of malware and viruses we’ve listed above, having the right protection that fits your needs is incredibly important. It can make the difference between browsing the internet securely, keeping your financial and personal information safe, or risking it all.

MacKeeper offers maximum antivirus defenses and advanced detection against these malware threats. It helps secure your personal information and online transactions while ensuring that emails and links originate from trusted sources. Don't leave your online safety to chance, invest in antivirus software specifically catered for macOS.

FAQ about malware and viruses

1. Is a virus a type of malware?

Yes, a virus is a type of malware specifically designed to replicate and spread by attaching itself to files or programs. But while all viruses are malware, not all malware are viruses. Malware includes a wide range of malicious software types beyond just viruses.

2. Why is a computer virus more dangerous than other types of malware?

Computer viruses are usually considered more dangerous than other types of malware because they can replicate and spread quickly, causing widespread damage. This makes them harder to find and remove.

3. Can an antivirus remove malware?

Absolutely! Antivirus programs like MacKeeper can remove malware from your device. Our app offers malware removal tools that scan your system for malicious software and effectively remove any threats detected, helping to keep your Mac safe and secure.