Malware? Spyware? Before October 16th 1995 those words didn't even exist! The term spyware was a software used for espionage on PCs to gather data and information about that individual from their surfing habits to personal information! Back then no one knew they were even infected until Zone Labs who makes the Personal Firewall mentioned it.
Whats the difference? Spyware is just what it means.
Spy Software.
It is used to spy on your PC and what you are doing without you knowing.
Malware mean's Malicious Software which is something that interferes with doing your job on the PC and can in fact steal information as well with some of the infections and even worse steal your money.
Over the past couple of years there has been an outbreak of rogue or fake ant-viruses and even defrag software and system restores installing on PCs and are getting more and more difficult to remove.
Some of which ask you to pay 50 or 75 bucks to remove these supposed infections which are fake or to have the software removed.
These products are not real and take victims for their money and can even steal credit card numbers if you fall for their gimmicks.
I cannot stress this enough.
DO NOT PAY FOR THIS SOFTWARE! I will say it again.
If something pops up and states you have been infected with all these viruses and click her to pay to have them removed and it is not Symantec or McAfee or some other VALID software for anti-virus DO NOT PAY FOR THIS SOFTWARE! Spyware and Malware now has become I.
T.
's largest job security for those that work on desktops both personal and business.
It is a huge nuisance.
As an I.
T.
Professional there are days where I dread seeing another infected PC.
It is not only stealing information and hindering the individual from accomplishing what they want to do whether it is for personal or business but it is also costing money as most individuals have no idea how to remove the infections.
In my lifetime of I.
T.
I have seen PC's so infected with spyware and malware that the machine had to be completely rebuilt, costing the client even more money.
Let me tell you one thing that has been mentioned and asked a lot in the field as I fix these PC's infected with spyware and malware.
"I have the anti-virus YOU installed so why did it not protect me from this.
" Anti-virus software protects you from one thing.
Viruses.
Malware and Spyware are completely different from that.
It drives me up the wall to see a software company such as Symantec Endpoint Protection claim to protect from spyware and viruses when it is not true.
The only thing that Symantec does is protect you from viruses.
99.
9% of all spyware and malware infections can be avoided through security awareness and understanding of the Internet! Blindly surfing the web and clicking on things just because they look interesting or unbelievable will get you into trouble and cost you money.
Through the utilization of software products such as Spybot, Malwarebytes and Spyware Blaster and ensuring that they are up to date on the latest signatures and scanning on a weekly or even daily basis will help you prevent such infections from happening.