What is the difference between spyware and a virus?
An average internet user has lots of trouble when it comes to noticing the difference between viruses and Spyware programs. While the differences are really subtle, both viruses and Spyware behave in a malicious way( “malware”): by getting into the system uninvited, and potentially endangering your operating system. Both act towards a possible “infecting” and destroying valuable information, weakening the performances of your PC, and eventually getting in way of your everyday work.
Possible ways of “catching” malware?
Spyware programs and viruses are delivered through web sites and through files downloaded from the internet, as well as e-mail messages, more precisely, via the files which are attached to those.
Security measures, and how to protect your PC?
There is no point in talking about viruses, instead, the smartest thing to do (in case that has not been done yet) is to install some of the antivirus programs as soon as possible:
• AVG (http://www.grisoft.com)
• Norton Antivirus (www.norton.com)
• NOD (http://www.nod32.com)
• Kaspersky (http://www.kaspersky.com)
The important thing is, of course, to always keep your antivirus program updated, since that is the only way to maintain your PC at least 99% safe from different virus threats
Spyware programs – and how to fight them?
More attention will be given to Spyware programs. The sole reason lies in the very fact of how they behave. A common virus hides in your PC trying to spread to other computers through e-mail, etc. On the other hand, Spyware programs bother you openly! Pop-up windows, spam in your e-mail inbox, hijacked home page of your internet browser, are the sure simptoms that a spyware program has been “caught”, and that the everyday performance of your PC has been compromised!
The quickest (and the only way) to protect yourself from Spyware and get rid of it, is to use one of the following tools: :
There are a few other things that can be done as a prevention against Spyware:
- Keep your operating system updated using the Automatic Update option
- Avoid using the Internet Explorer browser since it is prone to spyware attacks. Consider – Mozilla, Firefox, Opera…
- Use firewall programs that disable any data transfer form your PC and vice versa, without you being aware of it(eg. Zone Alarm - http://www.zonelabs.com )
- Use e-mail clients other than Outlook Express, such as Thunderbird, The Bat, Eudora, Pegasus…for those are known for doing a great job, maybe even better than Outlook Express.
In case you have no other choice but to use the Internet Explorer browser– turn off the option that allows it to run/start scripts which it downloads from the Internet.
That is done as described in the next few steps:
In the Internet Explorer window, click "Tools," and then "Internet Options," at last choosing the "Security" option. Then, choose the Earthly looking icon below the "Select a Web content zone" settings, finally choosing the "Custom Level."
Turn off the following options: "Download unsigned ActiveX controls", "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe," "Active scripting," and "Scripting of Java applets," and set "Java permissions" on "High Safety."
If all this is done – there is a chance your computer might stay intact, safe and not infected by malware…
Happy surfing!
