What are Viruses and Spyware?
What is spyware? Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet.
What is a virus? In computer security technology, a virus is a self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents. A computer virus behaves in a way similar to a biological virus, which spreads by inserting itself into living cells. Extending the analogy, the insertion of the virus into a program is termed infection, and the infected file (or executable code that is not part of a file) is called a host.
Both can be horribly damaging to your PC and without the proper protection, it can even happen to you. A great guide would be to set up an antivirus program as soon as possible!
Copyright Andy Holloway - http://www.w3privacy.com
Written by: Andy Holloway