🚀 go-pugleaf

"John Slade" <hhitman86@pacbell.net> wrote in message 
news:oaF6o.1247$1v3.814@newsfe20.iad...
> On 8/4/2010 2:40 PM, FromTheRafters wrote:
>> "John Slade"<hhitman86@pacbell.net>  wrote in message
>> news:G1j6o.53362$dx7.3611@newsfe21.iad...
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>>     "Virus" is both a generic term and a specific term.
>>> Why do you think they call the software used to clean
>>> trojans and  worms, "Anti-Virus" software?
>>
>> Generally, they call it antimalware unless it is also effective 
>> against
>> viruses and worms (which are self-replicators). If it is effective
>> against viruses, they call it an antivirus. Antivirus programs can 
>> also
>> detect some non-replicating malware.
>
>       They call it that because it's quite common to refer to all 
> malware as viurses. Been this way for decades.

Being wrong is quite common also.

>>> I'm sure you don't think that they only clean viruses
>>> and leave trojans and worms alone. It's all a matter
>>> of semantics.
>>
>> Of course it is, but semantics shouldn't be a dismissive word. The
>> meanings of words are *important* to effective communications.
>>
>
>      It's all a matter of who you're talking to. If the person wants 
> to nitpick even though they know what a person means then what can you 
> do but explain.

I don't usually bother to correct non-professionals, although I do 
mention that they are in error when they call non-replicators viruses. 
In your case, being a "professional" you should know better. That you 
refuse to accept the facts is just your personality getting in the way 
of your professionalism.

> I've worked for people who are very computer savvy and people who are 
> new to computers. I use all the terms to describe the problem and 
> rarely hear anyone nitpick about using the word "virus" to describe a 
> trojan or worm. It's just acceptable.
>
>>> Just about all of the major anti-malware vendors have
>>> products that they call Anti-Virus. This is because it just
>>> stuck. You're a professional and you don't know this?
>>
>> We all know this, and we don't like it one bit. The fact remains that
>> viruses are a special case requiring more than what many antimalware
>> applications are equipped to handle.
>
>         It seems to anger you on some level.

Not really, it angers me when they call viruses malware - but that's 
another story that you would not be interested in.

> I don't care in the least what they call it, as long as it does the 
> job.

What job?

If you use an antimalware application to remove viruses, you can be 
giving a still infested machine back to your customer. I know that you 
don't care, and it is alright with me if you insist on continuing to be 
wrong, but calling yourself a professional is over the top.

I won't bother to help you to understand the importance of the 
difference anymore since you refuse to learn.