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Originally Posted by Bolton_guy  I still get confused between anti-virus and antispyware [IMG]http://n08q1114fvte161.*************.info/img/1228/v08w1128rhlb/smile.gif[/IMG] |
Think of a virus as vandals, there trying to destroy your data or interfere with how your PC runs or maybe use your computer to spam email or attack (collectively with millions of other computers) other computers.
Spyware may not be malicious, A lot of it just monitors what you do with your computer and or where you surf and reports it back to the creating company. Many many things do this to one extent or another, Internet Explorer, search engine toolbars, acrobat reader, MS Customer Experience (installed on vista even if you say no!), Windows Defender and a lot of freeware apps. Some of it is just for marketing, others are far more big brother. If your not bothered by the invasion of privacy (which you proably agreed to in some hidden clause in a huge EULA) then in reality all they do is slow your PC down (especially if you have alot of them).
Some spyware is far more nasty and actively looks for usernames / password, credit card and bank logon details. Some even allows the "hacker" to view what is on the screen of your PC like a TV!
There are many ways to protect a PC from them (mac now recommends that mac users also run AV), many free
The home of Spybot-S&D! (needs to be updated at least weekly manually but the immunize function is very helpful!)
AVG Free - Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition for Windows XP and Vista Malwarebytes.org (again update manually and run at least once a week)
And its important to do your windows updates
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