what makes viruses and spyware so different that they need to different programs to remove them.?

Question

I know that viruses are infected files, but from the research ive done it doesn't seem that spyware is always a program (.exe) unless that is not the only kind of program.

Let me edit what i said, i wanted to know what is differances in the files them selves that they need to found by seperate programs.
I mean, why isn't there just an
anti-malware that finds both.

virus = destroy, spyware = steal, ive got that down.

edited after first answer

i will say it again, why can't an antivirus software find a spyware program. why can't they add spyware codes to antivirus dictionarys so that it can find and remove spyware

Answer 1

easy. A virus is meant to hurt your computer. It will do bad thing like erase your files.

A spyware or addware does not neccesarily hurts your computer. It sits therewatching you and keeping tracks of your internet surfing habbits. They can also redirect you to other sites.

The whole point of spyware and adware is to make money. A lot of sites make money out of their advertising. the more people that go there or click on the link the more money they make. Its to the spyware guy interestthen not to hurt your pc. What makes spywarea nuisance is that they run all the time thus taing resources. If a lot of spyware install then your compter will slow down. Also, there is that rivacy issue like yur credit card number or that little secret meeting with your mistres that you would not like yourwife to find about.

Virus will become rarerer as time goes by because there is no money to bemade wit viruses unless you work for symantec. Spyware/adware generate lots of money so they'll be arund for a long time.

Answer 2

A virus or trogan enters you computer and allows communication between your computer files, programs, and other software, often overtaking it and changing things. There is in Windows Exploerer Browser a program called ActiveX that allows your computer to tie into others. These viruses and Trogans enter thru ActiveX program. See your own ActiveX by goint to top toolbar, Tools, Options, Security, Custom Settings. The browser, FirefoxMozilla does NOT use ActiveX, Thus viruses or trogans cannot overtake your computer using that browser, thus it is a much safer browser than InternetExplorer

Spyware is tracking cookies. Some sites like Yahoo mail will not function without tracking cookies. That is where they make their money. snooping seeing what you need or want, then even sending you an email trying to sell you stuff, all based on tracking you. NetZero, is another example of a tracking email, Costs less but snoops on you to see what you are looking . To view your cookie tolerance level go to top tool bar, then Tools, Options, Privacy and you can move that slide up and down to set your cookie tolerance. You can use Edit, to block certain cookies.

If you set that cookie level at HIGH, you will not be able to use many of your websites, Yahoo Mail will NOT function if you set that at HIGH. If you block certain website cookies, you will not be able to use them. Iwon.com is an example.