HOW IS SPYWARE DIFFERENT FROM A VIRUS?
Unlike Spyware, viruses self-replicate and attempt to infect as many computers as possible. Viruses attempt to spread from one computer to another, while Spyware usually spreads over the Internet and not directly between home computers. Viruses usually carry a “payload,” some kind of function or assault meant to damage a computer, open it to remote intrusion, or otherwise compromise a computer system. Spyware can do just as much damage, but more frequently causes slowdown, pop-up ads, browser instability, and other annoyances. Spyware programs range from innocuous data collectors to dangerous Remote Administration Tools (RATs). Viruses are more consistently and obviously harmful, but do not present the same surveillance, advertising and data mining threats.
