what's the difference if any between spyware & virus protection?

Answer 1

Spyware is used to gather information and/or show advertisements without your approval. Viruses are any kind of malicious software. Some spyware are viruses too. Virus protection will usually not detect spyware and vice versa. I suggest using the following programs:

Spyware Tools:
http://www.lavasoft.nu/software/adaware/
http://www.safer-networking.org
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender
http://www.merijn.org/programs.php

Anti-Virus:
http://free.grisoft.com

Cleanup:
http://www.ccleaner.com

Answer 2

The lines are blurring more and more.

Generally speaking, viruses are programs that damage your computer in some way by changing some settings or deleting something. Spyware's harm isn't as obvious. Generally, spyware sits in the background on your computer and records what you do and sends it to a central server somewhere. The spyware could be interested in your browsing habits, credit card numbers, or passwords, or all of the above.

Many virus protection programs now cover spyware, but do not assume one does unless it specifically claims to do so.

Generally speaking, you should be safe from spyware unless you visit shady sites or download programs from untrusted sources.

If you know enough about computers and the internet to know that you don't know enough, then I would recommend getting virus protection, spyware protection, and a firewall if you don't have one already.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

I don't know for sure, but I think that virus protection mainly focuses on removing viruses and little focus on removing spyware, whereas spyware protection mainly focuses on removing spyware. So it's kind of same, but kind of different too.

Answer 5

Spyware is usually something that, as the name suggests, spies on your computer. It logs what you are doing, what sites you visit, what programs you use, what keys you press, etc and send this information to a third party.

Viruses on the other hand, are usually made to cause grief. Often they cause some kind of damage or unwanted behaviour on your computer, or allow a third party to gain access or control of it.

In short, spyware generally monitors your activities, whereas viruses are designed to cause damage. Different programs are usually used to scan for each type, although some come as a full package which takes care of all scans in one sitting.