subject: Difference between Malware, Adware, and Spyware and How to Get Rid Of Them [print this page] Difference between Malware, Adware, and Spyware and How to Get Rid Of Them
Aside from computer viruses, there are also other types of programs which may cause your computer to run slow or stop from functioning well. If you have noticed that your computer is running slow after you have installed a certain program, your computer may have been infected by a malicious program known as either adware or spyware.
Here are the things that you need to know about Malware, Adware, and Spyware and the ways on how to effectively combat such programs.
Malware these are normal programs and also known as Trojans wherein they claim something else but in fact they just want to invade your computer system. Malware is actually a concatenation of malicious and software which means malicious software.
Adware these are programs which open advertisements from time to time also known as pop ups. Actually, adware is considered as the least dangerous among all types of malicious software since it does not really affect the data stored on the computer. This software is more of an "advertiser" than a destroyer since it only displays advertisements for the users to click. But these advertisements are very much disturbing especially if you are doing something important.
Spyware considered as the most dangerous type of malicious software since it invades your computer privacy. It monitors for all your computer activities by recording keystrokes, taking screenshots, and sometime even recording your webcam. The information is then sent to the creator of the spyware for different uses such as internet scam and identity theft.
There are actually several ways on how to get rid of and prevent these types of programs and the most effective is prevention. Avoid downloading and installing different types of applications especially those which promise you for free stuff.
