Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Despite the popularity of malware, it’s surprising how little internet users actually know about them. You follow instructions regarding the purchase and installation of antivirus software and other security programs but you don’t bother to discover what malicious codes they’re constantly battling for the sake of your uninterrupted computer usage.
The unfortunate truth is that you can be perfectly equipped with the best software and still be completely vulnerable to malware. You have to be aware of the activities and the practices that enable malicious codes to breach your security and cause mayhem in your system. Two of the most common culprits you’ll encounter are viruses and spywares, and the damage they can do are anything but a joke.
Clarifying their identities and differentiating them is the first step to hindering their destructive prowess from touching you.
Drawing the Line between Viruses and Spyware
This task is more difficult than it seems, especially if you aren’t tech-savvy and you’ve never paid so much attention to your operating system, browser, computer maintenance and the like before. It gets harder when you discover that the symptoms of infiltration from both malware camps are nearly identical.
They target your files and inflict you with insanity on a regular basis; sometimes, the frustration of a dysfunctional computer just pushes you off the cliff of your patience and you’re tempted to throw your gadget out the window. Before you resort to dramatic measures, continue reading for you to determine the ultimate source of your stress. Spyware and malware removal won’t be as effective as it can be without your active participation.
Unearthing the True Colors of Viruses
You’ve heard about biological viruses and delved into its character during your high school years. Chances are that you don’t remember every minute detail about it, but you at least retained the knowledge that it jumps from host to host and replicate nonstop if you allow it to.
Computer viruses are no less violent. Their primary aim is to penetrate your defences and replicate through your online network. Peer to Peer sharing is the newest means through which viruses jump from your computer to your colleague’s computer. These malicious codes infect as many media files as they can and wait for you to spread them to your acquaintances. Worse, they won’t stay inactive during that wait. They’ll corrupt your files and slow down your PC.
If you are no longer satisfied with your current computer security, get a free antivirus protection to reinforce your defences. Don’t wait until your computer’s barely functional before you act.
Unearthing the True Colours of Spyware
Just because spyware is less vigorous does not mean that it is less dangerous. In fact, it is gaining a reputation for instigating majority of the loss suffered by cyber victims. Like a virus, spyware’s true colours remain consistent with its name. It is literally a spy in your system, and its main objective is to get hold of your activities both online and offline.
The challenging trait it possesses is its tendency to be overly discreet; after all, that’s the expertise of spies. Advertising companies and clever cyber criminals use these spies to obtain information that would be beneficiary for them. The latter’s focus, however, lies more on the quantity of money they can leech from you.
You should be Wary of Spyware
Spyware is sharing the limelight with viruses in our current cyber dilemmas. Everyone should be extremely wary of the harm that spyware is capable of inflicting. It doesn’t matter if you’re a businessman with an entire team of IT professionals to back you up or if you’re just a bored teenager surfing the internet on a hot summer afternoon.
The cyber criminals responsible for launching these spyware are capable of stealing company data that may be used to blackmail your company. Teenagers can be tricked into meeting up with people whom they only met in the web; you can be ingenious – performing background check on these people – but how sure are you that the information they gave aren’t stolen?
Symptoms of Spyware Infection
- Booting up your computer consumes too much time. It wasn’t this way before. What happened? Viruses and spywares happened, friend.
- You feel bad while using your computer. The usual programs you use are malfunctioning every two minutes. You can’t enjoy your games or complete your work with a deteriorating computer system.
- The Windows Registry Editor is out of reach. For some reason, you can’t access it. Ah, the malware probably blocks access to prevent their premature detection.
- Using the internet is frustrating because your browser continually crashes. That inconvenience is the spyware’s fault. Do you notice that your home page is switching from site to site? You can be certain that you’re infected.