Wolf K presented the following explanation :
> On 2015-11-26 08:54, FromTheRafters wrote:
>> Wolf K expressed precisely :
>>> On 2015-11-26 06:40, FromTheRafters wrote:
>>> [...]
>>>>    This is one major reason why some of
>>>> us like to emphasize that "virus" and "malware" are different despite
>>>> what the average Joe thinks. [...]
>>>
>>> This is like emphasising the difference between "peach" and "fruit".
>>> Illogical.
>>>
>>> Since "malware" includes a number different types of evil (trojans, 
>>> spyware,
>>> etc) the "average Joe" quite logically includes viruses. That's how a 
>>> normal
>>> language user decodes unfamiliar terminology.
>>>
>>> It's important for people to understand the different types of malware, so
>>> discuss them, instead of emphasizing a difference that's now of merely
>>> historical interest.
>>>
>>> Have a good day,
>>
>> You are, of course, welcome to think whatever you like.
>
> You are, of course, welcome to ignore linguistics.

I'm  aware of the common man's use of the term, and I'm not insisting 
that anyone use the word virus for malware when they don't care about 
the difference. They can use whatever term they like. It is still a 
fact that they are different animals, especially in the case of Ray's 
query. If it doesn't reproduce itself, it can't reproduce a morph of 
itself which has an encrypted version of the code used in the detection 
string.

I stand by my statement that this is a case where the distinction 
actually has a difference.
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