Malware vs Viruses

The distinction between malware and viruses is that viruses are a malware sub-category. Software which destroy (or renders unusable) user or company data.

Malware is any kind of computer code that is intentionally designed to cause device harm, such as a laptop, smartphone, or database. Computer viruses, like biological viruses, attempt to spread and replicate themselves. The software which compromises system performance and accessibility without destroying information. Malware sples on and/or steals recorded data.