Adware vs. Spyware; is there a Difference.
The difference between Adware and Spyware are not quite interchangeable as one might think. Both will track your computing activities, such as what websites you've visited.
Adware is usually associated with using pop-up advertisements to tack your websites so they can advertise to you. Spyware on the other hand is trying to take something from you as opposed to sell you something. Spyware being the more malicious of the two is trying to steal from you; your credit card information, bank account, social security and other information that could be sold for Identity theft purposes. Spyware perpetrators try to hide the Spyware on your computer, so they can capture enough valuable information from you over time. One type of vicious Spyware software is Keylogging, which hides in the background recording your keystrokes, including passwords and account numbers.
Spyware will only become more invasive as Identity Theft becomes more widespread and rampant. Some believe the problem is getting worse because more research money is being spent to develop Spyware than to combat it or to develop Spyware removal tools.
There are several ways to protect yourself, so as long as you take the necessary precautions you can ward off any theft from Spyware. Remember that if are downloading anything for free you are at risk for catching aggressive Spyware programs. Free programs include software, music, and software; especially file sharing programs are usually culprits for Spyware infections.
You will always want to use at least a couple anti-Spyware programs to remove what the other one couldn't.
A couple free recommended programs that I also use are Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware. Both Programs are a great first start in combating Spyware and Adware on your computer. In my next post I will go over some additional steps to take to remove Spyware and Adware.
The difference between Adware and Spyware are not quite interchangeable as one might think. Both will track your computing activities, such as what websites you've visited.
Adware is usually associated with using pop-up advertisements to tack your websites so they can advertise to you. Spyware on the other hand is trying to take something from you as opposed to sell you something. Spyware being the more malicious of the two is trying to steal from you; your credit card information, bank account, social security and other information that could be sold for Identity theft purposes. Spyware perpetrators try to hide the Spyware on your computer, so they can capture enough valuable information from you over time. One type of vicious Spyware software is Keylogging, which hides in the background recording your keystrokes, including passwords and account numbers.
Spyware will only become more invasive as Identity Theft becomes more widespread and rampant. Some believe the problem is getting worse because more research money is being spent to develop Spyware than to combat it or to develop Spyware removal tools.
There are several ways to protect yourself, so as long as you take the necessary precautions you can ward off any theft from Spyware. Remember that if are downloading anything for free you are at risk for catching aggressive Spyware programs. Free programs include software, music, and software; especially file sharing programs are usually culprits for Spyware infections.
You will always want to use at least a couple anti-Spyware programs to remove what the other one couldn't.
A couple free recommended programs that I also use are Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware. Both Programs are a great first start in combating Spyware and Adware on your computer. In my next post I will go over some additional steps to take to remove Spyware and Adware.
posted by
aflint at 4:45 PM
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