Malware, Adware, Spyware, this Ware that Ware

What ??? Adware??? Huh??? Malware???

Confused ?

I hope you find these simple explanations as to what they are helpful.

Malware- Is software developed for the purpose of causing harm to your pc system. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware and other malicious and unwanted software

Adware- A software application that includes advertisements, which are displayed while the software is running. Developers use adware as a source of income and to keep the costs of the software down its usually free. Some adware programs can include spyware.

Spyware- programs that secretly monitor and report the actions of a computer user.

Trojan- Software that appears to perform or actually performs a desired task for a user while inturn performing a harmful task without the user’s knowledge or consent.

Worm- A self-replicating program that spreads widely through a network. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms almost always cause at least some harm to the network, if only by consuming bandwidth, whereas viruses almost always corrupt or devour files on a targeted computer.

Rootkits- is a software system that consists of a program or combination of several programs designed to hide or obscure the fact that a pc system has been compromised.

Crimeware- is a spinoff of malware designed specifically to automate cybercrime.

Virus- A program which can be transmitted between computers via networks like the Internet or removable storage such as CDs, USB drives, floppy disks, etc., generally without the knowledge or consent of the recipient. Results may range from nothing to deliberate damage to systems and data. The traditional view is that the program must be able to replicate itself to qualify.

Dialer- A device or program that dials, as using a telephone to connect to a system. Dialers can also be malicious. Malicious dialers can be installed on your machine, calling up 1-900 #s, adult phone lines, international toll numbers, or other places you did not mean to call. These can add huge expenses to your phone bill.