What is difference between Spyware, Adware, Malware?

[abc]

What is difference between Spyware, Adware, Malware? How is it
different from virus? Are they bad?

Does anti-virus software take care of all spyware, adware etc.? if not
how do i prevent them?

thank you all for your time

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

What is difference between Spyware, Adware, Malware?

Different names for the same stuff. Generally speaking, it's any software
you did not mean to install.

How is it
different from virus?

It's not a virus - viruses are self-replicating and can do many things, some
minor, some involving destroying data, etc.
Malware is an annoyance, a nuisance, and worse, can stop your computer from
functioning properly.

Are they bad?

Yes, I'd say so. So would most people.

Does anti-virus software take care of all spyware, adware etc.?
No.

if not
how do i prevent them?

Use SP2. Don't use peer to peer file sharing software. Use a good firewall.
Don't log in as an administrator - use a limited user account for your daily
use. Be careful where you surf. Keep your browser security settings on
'high'. Don't install software of any type that you aren't 100% sure is
clean. Etc.

 

[David H. Lipman]

All; viruses, worms, Trojans, browser hijackers, data miners, adware, spyware, etc, are
classified as malware which basically means "bad software".

The definition of a virus is that it replicates by itself. Trojans, by definition, are not
true viruses because they don't replicate. Worms on the other hand replicate by using
protocols such as NetBIOS and RPC using ports such as 135, 139 and 445 . Examples are;
Sasser, Lovsan/Blaster, BugBear, Lioten, Sluter and Deloder. Viruses replicate by inserting
themselves into applications, hard disk sectors and memory. Once a virus infects a system,
subsequent files will be infected. Some examples of true viruses are; Jerusalem.B, NYB,
Form, CIH, etc.

There are two basic sub-types of malware; viruses and parasites. Viruses tend to cover
traditional viruses, Trojans and worms and non-viral malware are known as parasites. Both
viruses and parasites can be considered "infectors".

Today there are many forms of malware that mix their capabilities such as trojanized worms.

All malware are bad but vary in degree. For example, the CIH can render a computer on the
26th of a month impotent and unable to work by wiping a flashable BIOS while adware will
cause you to be guided to specific products or web sites.

Many anti virus products will detect parasitical malware but not all. For example, for
McAfee to catch non-viral malware, parasites, you have to enable "malicious program"
detection ("/program" switch parameter). There is some overlap between such applications as
Lavasoft Adaware and Anti Virus software, nether completely covers all malware. You need
both.

The best place to learn about infectors and to discuss them are the following News Groups.

microsoft.public.scripting.virus.discussion
microsoft.public.security.virus
alt.comp.virus
alt.comp.anti-virus

Dave



| What is difference between Spyware, Adware, Malware? How is it
| different from virus? Are they bad?
|
| Does anti-virus software take care of all spyware, adware etc.? if not
| how do i prevent them?
|
| thank you all for your time