AntiVIRUS or AntiADWARE/MALWARE?

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I'm not a techie, that's pretty obvious. but i have been using computers for my own personal needs for about a decade now. i started when we had to boot up computers using large , flimsy-looking disks they called floppies. way back then, there was only DOS to start with and wordstar to play with. way back then, you had to memorize keywords and shortcuts so you'll get around. but now that technology has, perhaps, surpassed my capacity to absorb new information, i am wondering about a lot of computer-related and tech concepts that have sprung. like what is the difference between an antivirus, anti-adware, and anti-malware? is adware and malware not a form of a virus? if it is a virus, then should it not be fixed already by an antivirus program? if it is, then why the hell are there adwares and malwares in the first place? and what about registry cleaners? damn! i can hardly keep up with the pace! i mean, i already have a firewall and an antivirus installed. do i still need an anti-adware, anti-malware, and a registry checker? or is this just a marketing ploy to create a perceived need so they can sell (better like slamming down our throats) their products? hmmmmm....