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Learn the differences between spyware, worms and computer viruses.
A Look At How Spyware Differs From Viruses And Worms
If you ve been noticing a decrease in your computer s
performance if it s running sluggishly or even crashing, it may very
well be infected with either Spyware, a virus, worms or all of the
above. You have to be really careful when downloading things off the
internet as well as opening emails from people you don t know because
those are the main sources of these infiltrators. And in case you
didn't know, even an email attachment from someone you do know could
contain a virus.
And even though each of these types of pests are harmful to your
computer in their own special way, there are differences among them. So
to assist yourself in keeping your computer healthy , you should be
aware of what they are and what they do so you can fix and/or prevent
the malfunctions that result when they exist in your PC s system.
Spyware
Spyware is most often times downloaded onto your computer along with
other downloads that you actually intended on retrieving mostly from
Freeware sites. It is very sneaky and hides itself within your PC,
running invisibly in the background of the operating system. Spyware
tracks every action you make on your keyboard, follows you around the
internet and records everything you do in order to send the information
back to the program s creator. Some Spyware even has the ability to
scan documents saved on your computer as well. Advertisers are the
guiltiest of Spyware generators which is one of the reasons bulk and
junk emails are running amok. And the information gathered by the
Spyware program can actually inhibit your life off the computer as
well. Some of the originators of various Spyware use these programs to
help them steal your personal information and identity.
Viruses
Viruses are also hidden entities in your computer s operating system,
but unlike Spyware, have to be executed in order to do their thing.
Just like in humans, viruses are transferred from one computer to
another. They are actually code that is written into programs that once
clicked on and opened, spread like wildfire throughout your PC s
system. They are enormously dangerous and can actually destroy your
entire operating system, wiping out all of your programs, erasing your
files and infiltrating your address books.
Worms
Worms are software programs that work independently to annoy you and
destroy your files, in addition to making your computer run abundantly
slow. They spread themselves though network connections but unlike
viruses, don t need to be executed to launch. However, they are just as
efficient at damaging your files and programs as a virus is.
Protection is Power
DO NOT EVER open emails that come from a name you do not recognize or
have some funky wording in the subject line, and furthermore, NEVER
click on or download attachments from them either. Ensure the
protection of your computer as well as your identity by utilizing
Anti-Spyware in addition to Anti-Virus software. Just about every
single operating system sold today comes equipped with some form of
these programs already built in and they re there for a reason. So make
sure you keep your firewall up, run the protection software while you
re on the computer and scan your system regularly.
By: Gray Rollins -
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
MySpywareGuide.com. If you want the best spyware protection avaialble,
be sure to visit us and download XoftSpySe.
Worth repeating - Protection is Power. |
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