Spyware and viruses are both types of malware that harm software or files, but they spread differently. Spyware hacks into computer activities and sends user information to third parties, while viruses create copies of themselves and try to spread to other computers. Spyware is often bundled with other files or programs, while viruses are spread through email attachments or instant messages. Spyware is designed to record a user’s activities and transmit that information, while viruses are designed to copy and spread themselves, often causing permanent damage to computer systems and networks.
Both spyware and viruses damage software or files known as malware, but they spread differently. An important difference between computer spyware and a virus is that spyware hacks into computer activities, often sending user information to third parties, while a virus does not. Another key difference is that, unlike spyware, a virus often creates copies of itself and tries to use a computer to spread the virus to others. While both can negatively affect how a computer works, spyware rarely seeks to harm a system, while viruses often cause much more lasting damage.
Both spyware and a virus are usually loaded onto a computer without the user’s knowledge and run without the user’s knowledge or consent. The typical mode of delivery for spyware is bundled with other files or programs that the computer user chooses to download. Spyware sneaks into the user’s system along with the desired material. Viruses, however, are most often spread as e-mail attachments or via instant messages, although they can also be hidden in downloaded material.
While they can both harm a computer, another difference between spyware and viruses is found in the main purpose of the malware. Spyware is designed with the purpose of recording a computer user’s activities and transmitting that information to third parties. It can track a person’s computer usage habits and pass the information to advertisers and others. Another, more dangerous use can steal private information such as email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers, and other important personal data and pass it on to a hacker or identity thief.
The main purpose of a virus is to copy and spread itself. It often replicates itself multiple times, thus consuming computer resources and causing system malfunction. Another common virus tactic is to access a computer user’s email address book and send copies of itself to all addresses. It may also try to use other transmission methods in which one computer communicates with another, such as in file sharing services and instant messaging. Spyware does not make copies of itself or spread itself to other computers using the infected system.
Another difference between spyware and viruses is the intent of the author. The spyware author usually wants to collect information that will be used for various purposes. Spyware needs an operating system to do this, so it rarely harms your computer, although it uses up computer resources and can slow it down. Viruses are often written with more destructive intentions and often render computer systems and networks inoperable. Once viruses spread, they often cause permanent damage to the operating system and hardware.
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