The Importance of a Security Alarm

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Thursday, November 6th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Adware, Spyware and Anti-virus - What are the Differences?

Almost all computer users are familiar with the many irritations that are associated and caused by adware, spyware and computer viruses. Let’s differentiate between the three.

First on our agenda to look at is Spyware. These software programs are not intentionally created to harm your computer. What they do is create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Spywares will work to record the many different types of web sites you visit, which are then later used by web advertisers to know what kind of unsolicited emails and pop-ups to send to your computer.

This is why spyware is usually frowned on and often greatly avoided. Spyware is much more invasive than adware. Spyware also has their own separate executable programs which may 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.

Once the spyware program collects the information, it will then send it back to the spyware author. When the company gets the information back from the spyware programmer or agent they can use it towards further promotional purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.

Next on our list is Adware, which unlike spyware is a more legitimate form of freeware. It is however, similar to spyware in that they are both programs automatically installed when you add new software to your computer and they will usually contain an assortment of advertising materials. There are some forms of adware, on the other hand, that download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take on 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 not be related to the site you are viewing. More often than not though, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult content. Another thing to watch out for, is if your computer begins to slow down and perform in an unusual way, it could mean spyware has found it’s way into your system. For example, if your Windows desktop takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.

Finally we need to discuss computer Viruses, all of which are a destructive form of software. Someone, somewhere designed a program to create chaos and possibly even destroy the data on your computer. Destroying everything is what they were written to do and often these types of viruses replicate in order to infect as many systems they possibly can and as quickly as possible too.

Often today, a lot of anti-virus software programs also provide spyware and adware scanning removal utilities. Some programs, however, are specifically focused on locating and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether it is anti-virus or anti-spyware software dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware or virus installed on your system.

They then remove it and any other components located in the system registry as well as any other places it is found in your computer. There are literally thousands of spyware programs and viruses on the internet and some in the shared media, therefore it is vital that you consistently make it a habit to update your anti-virus scanning software on a regular basis. You should also take notice of programs which make claims to offer only adware, as that often is not true.

Keep in mind that adware is sometimes actually spyware in disguise, so don’t be fooled by their claims. It is important therefore, to learn how to setup a system firewall and always turn on your pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.

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