Aqua-Soft Forumsi really didnt get the whole spyware, adware, and malware variations.....can anyone explain?
(MSEMPLOYEE393, you should know a lot about this im assuming hehe)
-MM3
What's the difference between adware, spyware, and malware?
lol. i want to know whats so different of the effects that it has on your computer once your infected....
I think he needs a little more explanation on the definitions 
http://www.io.com/~cwagner/spyware/
(The, what is malware? section gives pretty simple definitions of each)
often a piece of malicious software can fall under all of those categories.... this is how i think of them;
Spyware- these are a little programs that as the name suggests "spy" on your activities (usually on the internet) this is so companies can get a better idea in what consumers want to see etc.... they are usually in the form of internet "Cookies" which are stored by ur internet browser, to retain information for next time u visit thier site.
Adware- Annoying, real annoying. Spyware isnt in your face and is usually silent, adware is. Adware usually installs a program that loads at startup and displays annoying popup windows and banners that advertise things such as "free poker online!"
malware.... umm I cant really give a good definition of this... its usually a combination of a virus and adware? I believe....
oh so then spyware and adware arent viruses?
i always classified them as viruses all this time
Thread moved. This isn't a general question.
oh so then spyware and adware arent viruses?i always classified them as viruses all this time
...Mmm... they can be..... a virus is any program thats able to replicate itself... viruses usually cause abnormal behaviour on your computer in some way- Ie- they make the OS or another program not work or they corrupt files or delete files etc...
To be safe you should get both an anti-virus and anti-spyware/adware programs.
Spyware and adware are less lethal than viruses (in general) and can usually slip through the cracks of an anti-virus program.
