2007-07-08 22:36:59 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet ➔ Google
In few words the answer would be virus is used to make your computer not work ie it will delete your information from computer whereas spyware is used to collect your personal information from the computer like bank details,email addresses etc
2007-07-08 22:44:50 · answer #1 · answered by Abhinav Sah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A virus is designed to destroy your files, replicate itself and infect other computers.
Spyware is a generic name, and it tends to also mean malware and trojans and keyloggers: they are designed to steal information on your computer; usually it just tracks what websites you visit but some spyware programs can trick you into visiting fake websites or logging passwords that you use: As such, spyware is potentially much more dangerous than viruses; a virus will only crash your PC but spyware could give criminals access to your bank account.
Fortunately, spyware is easy to block; so as long as you keep your anti-spyware program up to date and run a scan once in a while your system will be safe.
Incidently, never buy anti-spyware programs that appear as pop-ups on websites (you may see a message such as "alert! spyware detected! Download WinFixer now to make your PC safe!!" These programs are FAKE. Not only do they not work, they will also infest your PC with yet more spyware.
Free programs that are genuine include Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE, both of which are very effective.
2007-07-08 23:00:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A computer virus is a program that reproduces itself and installs itself without permission on a computer. Spyware is software that, when installed, sends information about your use of that computer to another person without your permission. Normally software that would be described as spyware does not spread in the same way as a virus - rather, it is installed as part of another application that the user willingly installs on their own computer, often with an acceptance of the spyware features buried deep within the license agreement on the assumption that nobody will read them before agreeing to them. There is, however, a growing overlap between the two, with viruses that carry out the same purpose as spyware (keylogging, finding financial information or passwords etc.) being increasingly common.
2007-07-08 22:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by iapetus_98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lola
virus is a program which infectes your computer files and does harm to information.. like EXE files... your programs.. DOC files... and other informational files... (but nowdays viruses and spywares have no border between)
but spywares are... programs &scripts which do annouenyng things.. like disabling your task manager... bring popups.. change your privilegies... change your wallpapers.. and so on.. but often spywares don't DELETE any information.. thay just steal or advertise...
that's the MAIN difference...
but there are more differencies in those two.. but... it's a looooong way to talk...
2007-07-08 22:55:53 · answer #4 · answered by Graph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is just rubbish, like tracking cookies.
A virus does damage.
2007-07-08 22:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a virus unlike spyware is aimed at doing damage to your system or files
it can also replicate itself and spread itself using your computer
in most extreme cases it can allow a person to take over your system
2007-07-08 22:42:44 · answer #6 · answered by tommy d 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A virus is a malicious program that generates copies of itself and hides itself on your computer in order to do a variety of things, such as open your computer up to let things be installed on it, as well as many other purposes, such as sending spam. It can also damage your operating system and make your computer unusable unless you reinstall the operating system.
Spyware is a program that collects data about you, generally to sell to people. It has the unfortunate advantage of generally slowing your computer down and making you unsecure and vulnerable to viruses.
Also, with both people can learn anything about you that you put on your computer.
2007-07-08 22:40:58 · answer #7 · answered by skyzophrenyk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A computer virus is like a biological virus
It makes the computer "Sick as such" Slow / Poor performance / Crashes ect... And most replicate themselves to infect other computers.
Spyware is software that installs itself onto your computer without your consent and generally shows you ads, installs "IE toolbars" shows popups etc... and takes over your
your system so you cant do stuff.
2007-07-08 22:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋