The Difference Between Adware, Spyware and a Virus
Adware, Malware, Spyware and a computer virus have a lot in common, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let's differentiate the three.
What is spyware doing:
- Change the default settings on your home page web browser. In this case we call it also browser hijacking software
- Change itself and mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to find or eradicate.
- Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information, to do transactions as if they were you..
- Cause your computer to run slower because this software uses a lot of computer power
- Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove. Removing can cause other programs to crash
- Read your cookies. These cookies contain thins like the searches you did, the websites you visited and so on.
- Deliver annoying pop up advertisements. Sometimes even when your not there, as a surprise when you return
- Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
- Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes e.g to find out your passwords.
- Scan files located on your hard drive searching for information about bank accounts, credit cards and so on.
- Install other spyware programs into your computer so the situation gets worse and worse.
- Snoop through all kind of other applications on our desktop.
Spyware is software that does not intentionally harm your computer. What they do is that they create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Normally spywares record the various types of web sites you visit which are later used by web advertisers to allow them to send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.
But this kind of software needs a lot resources from you computer so normally your computer will become terribly slow.
This is why spyware are usually frowned upon and greatly avoided. They are more intrusive than adware. Spyware have their own separate executable programs which allow them to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.
The spyware then will send the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The agent will then use this information for advertising and marketing purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.
Adware, on the other hand, are more legitimate form of freeware. Similar to spyware, adwares are advertising materials which are packaged into a software or program and are installed automatically once that particular program or software is added into the computer system. Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take the form of spywares that is they track and report user information to program authors.
Some signs of spyware infections include pop-up ads that seem to be not related to the site you are viewing. More often than not, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Also if you notice your computer slowing down, there's a big chance that spywares and its other components have found their way in your operating system. When the Windows desktop also takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.
Meanwhile, viruses are destructive form of software. They were purely designed and created for one purpose alone: to wreck havoc to your computer. They destroy whatever they come in contact to and will initiate self replication and infect as many components of the computer's operating system or network as possible.
Nowadays, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. Some programs, however, are focused on located and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or a anti-spyware dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware and virus installed on your system.
They then remove it as well as their components located in the system registry among other places in your computer. It is therefore, good to regularly update your virus or spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the internet. Never be fooled from ads that claim that their products only contain adware.
These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are just waiting to be deployed for them to gather your information. Learn to setup firewall systems and always block pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.
|
Free Spyware Articles
|
