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.

Author: Chris Hubinsky, President, HuCor Technologies, www.hucortechnologies.com
Posted by InspireTomorrow.com