Confused about Spyware, Adware, Malware?

Confused!

This article briefly describes the differences between Spyware, Adware, Malware and Viruses.  These are terms that are generally confused, and found that some people actually believe that they have the same meaning.

Spyware

Any piece of software (or a cookie) that installs itself and monitors your surfing habits, digs for personal data, etc. without your permission is considered Spyware.  As a result, spyware can also cause other symptoms too, from slow internet connection (due to the captured information taking up your internet bandwidth), to complete loss of internet connectivity.  Spyware can also wreak havoc with software applications too.

Adware

Advertising is found everywhere these days, in every web page we visit, and even with certain software applications.  These adverts are discreet, and we don’t always even notice they are there.  These adverts are often used by web site designers and developers to recover the cost of development, which is why these adverts are often found on sites which provide free services.

Adware is a form of forced advertising, often in the form of pop-up ads, which are downloaded and played.  Some forms of advertising will launch a complete advertising campaign, displaying popups at random, and redirecting your web pages to sites that have absolutely no bearing on what your looking for!

Virus’s

Spyware and Adware are often perceived as Viruses.  A Virus is a program, which is capable of spreading, and replicating itself.  A true virus will be able to copy itself between computers by means of a storage device, such as a CD, Floppy or USB Pen, or via the internet or local network.  Spyware and Adware are more than often simply downloaded to a single computer.

Malware

Malware is short for Malicious Software.  Installed without your permission and/or performs actions on your computer without your permission.  Spyware, Adware, Worms, Rootkits, Trojans and even Viruses are all filed under this category.  There is most likely more malware on the internet today than there is software!

Tags: adware, anti-spyware, malware, rootkits, spyware, trojan, trojan horse, virus, worms