Anti-malware
Anti-malware is software designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software such as viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware.
“Software that is used to detect and inhibit malware.”
(Definition reproduced from the ISTQB Glossary. Copyright belongs to ISTQB.)
View the complete ISTQB GlossaryWhat is Anti-malware?
Anti-malware solutions protect systems by scanning files, monitoring system activity, and identifying known or suspicious malicious behavior before it causes damage.
Detection methods: Signature-based and behavior-based techniques are commonly used.
Protection: Continuous monitoring helps prevent malware infections.
Testing considerations: Security testing verifies that anti-malware features function correctly without affecting normal operations.
Real World Example
A regulated product team is preparing a release where Anti-malware appears in reviews, test design conversations, or defect triage rather than as an isolated glossary word.
The risk is that the team treats Anti-malware as interchangeable with nearby ISTQB terms. That makes test scope blurry and can lead to weak evidence for the release decision.
The tester anchors the discussion in the official definition, asks where the concept appears in the product, and designs examples that show the difference between Anti-malware and similar ideas.
The page becomes useful in practice because Anti-malware is connected to a specific testing decision, not memorized as a detached definition.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Which test BEST evaluates anti‑malware effectiveness on endpoints?
Question 2
Which risk is MOST associated with anti‑malware configuration?
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