IT

Difference Between Malware and Spyware

Malware vs Spyware

Summary: Difference Between Malware and Spyware is that Computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and rootkits are classified as malware (short for malicious software), which are programs that act without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alter the computer’s operations. While Spyware is a program placed on a computer without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user.

Difference Between Malware and Spyware

Malware

Computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and rootkits are classified as malware (short for malicious software), which are programs that act without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alter the computer’s operations. Unscrupulous programmers write malware and then test it to ensure it can deliver its payload. The payload is the destructive event or prank the program is intended to deliver.

Virus

A computer virus is a potentially damaging computer program that affects, or infects, a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works without the user’s knowledge or permission. Once the virus infects the computer, it can spread throughout and may damage files and system software, including the operating system.

Worm

A worm is a program that copies itself repeatedly, for example in memory or on a network, using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network.

Trojan

A Trojan horse (named after the Greek myth) is a program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program. A certain condition or action usually triggers the Trojan horse. Unlike a virus or worm, a Trojan horse does not replicate itself to other computers.

Spyware

Spyware is a program placed on a computer without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user. Some vendors or employers use spyware to collect information about program usage or employees. Internet advertising firms often collect information about users’ Web browsing habits by hiding spyware in adware.

Also Read:

Difference Between Malware and Adware

Difference Between Botnet and Malware

Difference Between Malware and Antivirus

Difference Between Malware and Virus

Leave a Comment