Adware, Malware and Spyware

Adware, Malware and Spyware

Adware, Malware, Spyware, Firmware, Software, Hardware, every kind of “ware” except your underware!! You may be “aware” of these terms and what they mean, or you may not. If not, you need to have some basic understanding of them. Let’s get started by going over the definition of them as they appear on the Wikipedia website:

“Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.”

“Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a portmanteau of the words "malicious" and "software". The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.”

“Many normal computer users are however still unfamiliar with the term, and most never use it. Instead, "(computer) virus" is used in common parlance and often in the general media to describe all kinds of malware. Another term that has been recently coined for malware is badware, perhaps due to the anti-malware initiative Stopbadware or corruption of the term "malware".

Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. It includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, and other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, for instance in the legal codes of California, West Virginia, and several other U.S. states.

Malware should not be confused with defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs.”

“Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party.

In response to the emergence of spyware, a small industry has sprung up dealing in anti-spyware software. Running anti-spyware software has become a widely recognized element of computer security best practices for Microsoft Windows desktop computers. A number of jurisdictions have passed anti-spyware laws, which usually target any software that is surreptitiously installed to control a user's computer.”

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the foregoing, you should have a basic understanding of these terms and what they mean. Bottom line, you want to “distance yourself” (protect your computer/files) from these “viruses” as much as possible. There are many different companies offering a wide array of products to assist you in doing this. Some of them are free, and some costs a few bucks! The choice is yours on which one you choose, but don’t just take any one’s word for what/which one to use – do some research on the net. There’s many very respectable sites that do in-depth reviews of different products offered.

Hope this has been of some value to you, and drop back by in a few days for a discussion on safety on the Internet for your children. Until then, may your days be filled with smiles and sunshine!