Viruses and spyware both are forms of malicious software, or "malware."
Spyware is also known as adware. Sometimes they travel together, but
they have different goals. Viruses and spyware can work in a homogeneous
manner, but often are separate entities even if found on the same
computer system. . Viruses are malicious programs designed to cause
harmful effects to your computer system. Spyware’s objective
is to install itself into your system and collect information without
your consent.
Spyware isn’t as devastating to your information as other
malware such as a virus. However, your computer is still insecure
and used for the wrong purpose. Any type of software installed into
your computer system configured to collect and report information
without your knowledge and permission is a critical risk in your security.
Malware ranges in severity from single computer changes in the user’s
settings to wide network and system failure. When your computer has
lost files or doesn’t operate properly, you may have been attacked
by a virus. I virus is a program that attaches itself to another program.
Much like viruses that attack living organisms, virus must have a
host. In the computer world, a virus attaches itself to a host program
and can only be executed to run when the host program starts to run.
Viruses aren’t the only type of malicious software.
Another type of malicious software is a “worm”. This malicious
software is known for itself ability to spread rapidly through replication.
Much like a highly contagious illness, it starts with just one person,
but within an hour hundreds or thousands of people can have received
the illness. A worm can be coded to replicate thousands of copies
and transmit them throughout the Internet. The worm is very dangerous
due to this rapid and bandwidth-consuming attack.
Some malicious software is very stealthy and is designed to open doorways
to allow other viruses or spyware into your computer. Obviously, these
doorways are a security risk and allow other malware or people from
stealing information from your computer. You might have heard the
term “Trojan” or “Trojan Horse” software.
This type of program is designed to do exactly that, gain access to
your computer via a pop-up, email, website, etc. and open doorways
for other malicious software to enter. This technique is very successful
since the security holes are created from the inside.
Another known malicious type of software is “bots”. These
programs turn your computer into a zombie. Another person gains access
to your computer just to try and gain access to more. A large number
of these zombie computers, are known as bot networks or botnets. A
botnet can have accumulated millions of computers. After a botnet
is formed, typical tasks from hiding information to organizing a massive
Internet strike against a website are plausible.
Whether your computer’s security is comprised by any type of
malware, your information is at risk. To learn more about how to protect
yourself from malware, please click
here.
