What is virus and spyware definitions is a common question that one can ask in related to security. Especially people who first audition for information security.
What is virus and spyware definitions anyway:
In this article we will give some light on Spyware, Virus and Malware. Tools to know and other relevant information.
What is Virus:
A virus, in computer and information security is a term that given to a software that was able to copy itself to into other software. In a manner of harming. It is like real health viruses that infect the human body and make him sick.
When computers began, long time ago. Virus was the only term that was related to malicious software. The virus infect you floppy disk. Once you use the disk it was loaded into memory and did stuff that harm your device.
In order to infect another computer, you had to copy the disk to another disk or use the infected disk in another computer.
To move from one computer to another it had to be able to resist in memory. It had to be able to infect executable files, com and exe. It had to be able to load itself from the infected file.
How virus works:
Once it infect an executable file. It change the executable file in a way that allow it to start while the executable file was started.
During executable file start up there are some routine that happens. Virus has to change this routine to tell the executable file to jump to the infected code location in the executable file and run it.
Most of the viruses were able to stay in memory and infect other executable files that they find. Executable files that were on floppy disk and later on the hard disks.
Remember, there was no internet on that time.
What is Malware:
I am starting with malware and not spyware because malware is a term that include all types of malicious. In the beginning there was virus.
When time pass and Bulletin Board System (BBS) started, viruses that where able to use the phone line for infected were known as worms.
Viruses that where able to spy on you known as spyware.
There are also Trojan, Adware, Rootkit, Ransomware and other type. All of them get into the term: malware.
What is Spyware:
Spyware is a type of malware that has spying abilities without the infected knowledge. It can infect your device to do one or more of the following:
- Steal sensitive information.
- Manipulate websites (redirect).
- tracking behavior to show pop ups.
- System monitors.
- Can be part of adware, Trojans, key loggers and rootkits.
How to find spyware on my computer:
The best way to find spyware on my pc is to use one of the best spyware blockers tools. This will gives you protection against future spywares and it can scan your system to check for infected.
There are some options to answer the how to get spyware on your computer question, here is a list of things you need to do to prevent it:
- Antivirus installation (free is good also).
- Antimalware installation (free is good also).
- Don’t press automatically on links. In emails and social networks.
- Scan every downloaded file from the web, especially from P2P networks.
- Think security when using the web.
Please refer to the spyware blocker article and to how to remove spyware from your computer with free tools article.
Virus scanner in mobile device:
With the high rise in using mobile devices. It is highly recommended to install antivirus or anti spyware tool. You can find some recommended virus scanner in mobile device using google play and app store.
Please check on google play for anti spyware android to find antispyware apps for your android device.
For your iOS device, please check for antivirus on app store.
Remember, malware including spyware can infect and type of device, mobile or not. You need this for your data protection. Find a free anti spy apps for your devices and use it.
I hope this article give you the answer to the what is virus and spyware definitions question. Please share it with your friends. Share it on your social network. We want to try and help whoever we can gain security awareness.