Wallpaper is a static background image, while screensavers are moving images that protect monitors from damage and activate antivirus scans. Screensavers can also be password protected for security. Both serve decorative purposes and can be personalized.
The difference between screensaver and wallpaper is that wallpaper is a static image that serves as a background image for your computer desktop, while screensaver is a computer program that places a moving image on your computer screen while it is not use. The screensaver hides your computer desktop, both to prevent damage to your monitor and for security reasons. Sometimes, the screensaver on a computer will activate other computer programs that may run in the background, such as a virus or spyware scan. Both wallpaper and screensavers are commonly used on both personal and business computers.
Screensavers once served a more functional purpose than they do now. Older computer monitors used cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, similar to older televisions. If a static image is left on the screen of these CRT monitors or even plasma monitors, the image could potentially “burn” onto the screen and cause damage. The moving images of the screensaver prevented burn-in of the screen image from occurring. This is no longer a problem on LCD monitors, but many people still use screensavers for aesthetics and privacy, as well as to allow antivirus programs to scan your computer while it’s not in use.
You can set your screensaver program to ask for a password when someone tries to remove the screensaver and resume looking at your desktop. This is very useful in office environments if you are away from your computer often; setting your screensaver password is a quick and basic level of security to prevent others from accessing your computer. Apart from these functional purposes, both screensavers and wallpaper have decorative purposes as well. There are many different screensavers and wallpaper options preloaded on most computers, or you can create a new one using your favorite family photos, for example.
While screensavers serve a practical purpose on your computer, the wallpaper is for decoration only. The wallpaper, or a desktop background image, simply fills the desktop on which the program icons are located. You can make your desktop image anything you want it to be; many people use favorite photos or there are almost endless desktop background options that can be found for free online. The desktop background can be changed as often as you like. Both screensavers and wallpapers are great, free, and easy ways to personalize your computer and increase its security.
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