Learn the difference between malware vs spyware.
Difference Between Malware vs Spyware
A lot of people confuse malware and spyware as the same thing. But the truth is they are two different things. Malware and spyware are malicious computer programs that work together with hackers to steal sensitive information from an infected computer.
The difference between malware and spyware is that malware is a specific type of spyware; and it is also a computer virus, which can cause harm to your computer’s hardware or software. Spyware is short for spy software. It gathers information about you such as credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information without your consent.
The main difference is that viruses use infection methods. For example, such as attaching themselves to email attachments; while spyware uses web traffic for spreading. Spyware can also be in email attachments, which is why they are often confused with viruses.
The most effective way to avoid becoming a victim of malware or spyware is to educate yourself. For instance, about the different types of possible infections. Be wary of any email attachments or links in emails that request your personal information. You should also make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer. Besides, you should use firewalls, spam filters, and other security measures as well.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a software application that runs in the background of your system without your knowledge and gathers information about you such as credit card numbers, passwords, bank account information, etc. Also, spyware can either be a standalone application or it can also be a program that is by a virus. Spyware that is installed by a virus is known as a Trojan horse.
Malware
Malware is a specific type of spyware. It is malicious software that performs actions that could harm your computer’s hardware or software. Also, malware can be a standalone application or it can also come along with spyware or other malicious applications such as viruses.
Examples of malware include viruses, Trojan horses, worms, spyware, etc. Malware can cause problems to your computer; such as making it so you cannot start the computer properly and modifying the registry settings of the computer. This is so that it will not start up at all or run properly.
In addition, malicious software generally refers to any program that harms your computer in some way; whether it’s stealing data from your system, causing damage to hardware, or even stealing bandwidth from you by sending out spam messages to other users on the internet. Thus, every one of these actions falls under the umbrella term “malicious software”.
Malicious software comes in many different forms – for example:
- spyware (which you may also know as adware)
- viruses and Trojans (a type of malicious program which appears as something harmless but hides something dangerous)
Some forms of malicious software are created by hackers; other forms are created by companies that sell their products in bundle with programs like browser hijackers and toolbars without informing their customers; and still, others are created by legitimate companies. But then go rogue and become malicious because they’re infected with a virus or trojan horse (another type of malicious program).
