| It never fails to frustrate. You are working hard on a | | | | of their programs. Adware, while very annoying, is |
| project and just as you are about to click that save | | | | usually not malicious. Spyware, on the other hand' |
| button, suddenly your system begins to run very slow | | | | Spyware is very similar to adware in that it is piggy |
| or worse, it locks up all together. Another day's worth | | | | backed on other programs but not self replicating, |
| of work down the tubes. Malware is what causes a | | | | except that instead of being a marketing tool, it collects |
| computer to be slow and it is the bane of every | | | | information about the computer user without his or her |
| computer owner's existence (what cause a computer | | | | knowledge. Spyware collects surfing habits, redirects |
| to be slow ' repair with registry cleaner). | | | | web browser activity (taking control from the user), |
| Malware is short for malicious software and it is a | | | | and changes computer settings (resulting in slower |
| coverall term for many varieties of hostile, annoying, | | | | connection speeds). Spyware can change your home |
| and intrusive code. This software is designed to | | | | page, prevent you from connecting to the internet, and |
| infiltrate your computer system without your consent | | | | make your other programs non-functional. Spyware is |
| and it includes viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, | | | | used to steal personal information such as credit card |
| adware, and crimeware. There are no common | | | | numbers and bank account information. |
| features denoting malware, instead its designation is | | | | Spyware can also be adware in that it will spy on |
| determined by the intent of the programmer. And, this | | | | what the user does with his or her computer and then |
| malevolent intent is on the rise. Several computer | | | | download and display ads that are more likely to be |
| security companies claim that the amount of malware | | | | well received by the user. Spyware is not a virus, but it |
| produced in 2007 is equal to that of the amount | | | | will exploit an infected computer for commercial gain. |
| produced during the previous 20 years. | | | | Many a spyware has been installed on computers via |
| Probably the most commonly understood type of | | | | a worm piggy back. |
| malware is the computer virus. A virus is a computer | | | | Spyware is also the most likely culprit for a system |
| program that can copy itself (reproduce) where by it | | | | running slow. It creates significant unwanted CPU |
| infects one computer after another through the use of | | | | activity which slows down all programs on your |
| executable code introduced by host (usually another | | | | computer. This excessive CPU usage can freeze |
| legitimate type of software) to the target computers. In | | | | programs, cause your system to not boot, and even |
| other words, it 'piggy backs' on a real program and is | | | | cause system-wide crashes. It uses up disk space and |
| executed when that program is used. The virus then | | | | creates a lot more network traffic than normal. |
| reproduces itself and piggy backs on another program. | | | | Chances are if you have one spyware on your |
| Some viruses are attached to email. These viruses | | | | computer, then you have many. |
| replicate by automatically mailing itself to people in the | | | | With all of these threats to your computer functionality, |
| victim's address book. These viruses then launch when | | | | how do you protect yourself? The most obvious |
| the new victims either open the email (or, in some | | | | answer is anti-virus software followed up with adware |
| cases, just preview the software in using their email | | | | and spyware removers. But, gaining popularity solving |
| clients). Then replication begins again. | | | | what cause a computer to be slow is to repair with |
| The word 'virus' is used interchangeably with worm | | | | registry cleaner. A registry cleaner is a utility designed |
| and trojan horse, but worms and trojan horses are | | | | for a Windows operating system and it removes |
| different from viruses. A worm exploits security | | | | redundant and unwanted items from your registry. The |
| loopholes to spread to other computers without the | | | | advantages of a registry cleaner is that it may |
| need of a host. Trojan horses are programs that | | | | improve the performance of your computer by getting |
| seem to be harmless but have hidden agendas. While | | | | rid of superfluous code and it many improve application |
| these sound like viruses, these pieces of code do not | | | | performance by repairing registry keys. The |
| replicate automatically. | | | | disadvantage is that many registry cleaners cannot |
| Adware is short for advertising-supported software | | | | distinguish between critical errors and benign registry |
| which is used to automatically download and display | | | | information. To make matters worse, some registry |
| advertisements. These programs are piggy backed on | | | | cleaners are just trojan horses in that they have the |
| other forms of software, but unlike a virus, they are | | | | hidden agenda to install other malware right into the |
| not capable of reproduction. Many adware codes are | | | | registry. It would be wise to weigh all your options |
| bundled into legitimate software and are used the | | | | carefully before cleansing your system to improve |
| software developers to offset the cost of distribution | | | | performance. |