What's the Difference Between Malware Removal Tool and Antivirus?

Antivirus software is primarily designed to prevent infection, but it can also remove malware from infected computers. Standalone malware removal tools provide a convenient way to find and eliminate malware on a computer or other device if your existing product cannot. 

With computers being a major investment in homes and businesses today, protecting them from viruses is critical.

And while antivirus scanning plays an important role in computer security, malware removal tools are also absolutely essential for optimal security and protection against the versatile viruses and other types of threats. The best possible defense against malware and other threats can be achieved with a combination of antivirus software and malware removal tools.

Antivirus Software or Malware Removal Tool - the Difference

Antivirus software is used for prevention. It prevents files that contain viruses from being downloaded to your computer. And should one ever be downloaded to your computer, transferred to your memory, or saved in a storage location, the software tries to prevent it from being activated. If the virus-infected file is not even downloaded, there is no problem. And even if the file is downloaded, but is detected, marked as malware by the antivirus software, and prevented from activating, your system will not be damaged - although the infected file must of course still be isolated and removed.

Cases Where Malware Removal Tools Are Necessary

Let's assume an infected file is downloaded and executed, thus activating the virus. This is usually done accidentally, e.g. B. by clicking on a malicious URL link or by opening an infected email file attachment.

Some antivirus software has rudimentary tools to clean up active viruses. However, modern malware is extremely sophisticated when it comes to hiding on the infected computer, where it can then reactivate itself at a later time. Because of this, such rudimentary tools cannot completely eradicate infections.

Malware removal tools can be used to remove malware from an infected computer in the event a virus does manage to scan the antivirus software. Corresponding malware includes active viruses, isolated viruses, and inactive malware that may be hidden and waiting on the infected computer.

Smart Security Thanks to Antivirus Software and Malware Removal Tool

Additional malware removal tools are necessary, as malware camouflages itself, becomes active again at a later point in time, can spread again, and re-infect the system - even if the virus file found is flagged and removed by the antivirus software.

Malware comes in a variety of forms, including B. as a file, hidden file or partially damaged file, and can hide the mechanisms that initiate the virus, such as a startup service or registry entries. In the worst-case scenario, the malware works for a third party who aims to steal valuable data, e.g. B. steal bank account details or personal IDs without even being noticed With modern malware, it is usually no longer sufficient to simply remove a single virus file. Instead, different locations must be checked and different virus scanning techniques used to completely remove the malware package.

There are several free antivirus and malware scanning offerings that will help you get started if you are currently setting up computer security. Some free tools will let you know if your computer is infected and provide a full report of the results. However, often they do not remove the virus infection, so you will eventually need antivirus software and a malware removal tool to keep your computer safe.