Virus vs. Spyware – Discover the Difference

Published: 16th May 2011
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While it is true that virus and spyware are collectively known as malicious software programs created by hackers or internet criminals, they are entirely two different programs. Knowing the difference is crucial if you are to successfully stop and prevent them from attacking your PC.

The Viral Connection

A virus is a program that is designed to infect your computer causing damages to the hardware itself. These include corrupting your data files and documents, slowing down your computer, corrupting the registry where all the files needed by your operating system to run your programs and applications are stored resulting to errors and system crashes, up to rendering your computer completely useless.

The greatest challenge in dealing with PC viral infection is that they rapidly spread and multiply. What seems to be an innocent file attachment from one of your contact lists may already be a carrier of the virus that can spread like wild fire once activated. Viruses maliciously attack your PC to compromise its performance and stability.


The Spy That Doesn’t Love You

Spyware on the other hand are said to be more personal in their attacks than the viruses do. These are software programs that are intended to spy or keep track of your computer activities and surfing habits, collect your information and send them without your permission to the criminals who have created them for their devious purposes.

Unlike viruses, spyware programs are not intended to damage your hardware. They are out there to accumulate information, including personal or sensitive, for the use of the rogues who have sent them to your computer. The danger lies with the collection of sensitive information like your personal data, i.e. credit card numbers, and uses these data for their gain. As the malware eats up your PC resources, you experience reduced performance and slow speed.

Stop the Malicious Attacks

Although they are two different malicious software programs, both of them should be dealt with as they both do harm and damage to your PC and to your privacy and security. It is preferable that you have at least two basic protection installed in your PC - one is the anti-virus protection, and the other is the spyware removal tool.


It is easy to think that these protection tools are expensive as they are proprietary. But you also have to be aware that there are free tools that you can use as your anti-virus and spyware removal to protect your PC and yourself from these lurking malicious software that are ready to attack your PC at any time.

Ready to learn more about spyware removal tool? Visit http://computertuneupvideos.com today for more information!

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Source: http://nazimagolamaully.articlealley.com/virus-vs-spyware--discover-the-difference-2229742.html


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