Adware, spyware and anti-virus software share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let’s make a distinction between the three.
Spyware is software that does not necessarily harm your computer. What it does is build pathways whereby someone else apart from the computer owner can communicate from that computer. Normally spyware records the different types of web sites you go to and sends that information to web advertisers, who then later send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.
Which is why spyware is unpopular and avoided. It is more intrusive than adware. Spyware has its own separate executable programs, which allow it to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use, including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.
Most computer users in the United States have heard of the foremost American antivirus vendors. Manufacturers such as Symantec, McAfee, Computer Associates, and Trend Micro. These organizations have a market leading presence in the United States. Microsoft, too, has aspirations to become a key player in this enormous growth industry.
In fact, Microsoft bought intellectual property and technology rights from GeCad software in 2003, a company based in Bucharest, Romania. They also acquired Pelican Software, which had a behaviour based security product, as well as the Giant Company Software for spyware and Sybari Software, which managed virus, spam, and phishing filtering.
A great deal of debate concentrated on whether Microsoft would end up in a dominant position in the antivirus market by merely bundling its recently acquired software technologies up with its Windows operating systems at no charge. This is a comparable technique that has been used in other markets such as word processing and Internet browsers. In fact, this is precisely what did take place. Microsoft has come out with a free product called Microsoft Security Essentials.
New computer viruses are being generated, exposed and disabled every day. These computer viruses are created often just to annoy us and to inflict mayhem in our computer systems. Hereunder, I have described ten viruses currently cited as being the most widespread and being potentially able to inflict the most damage. However, new viruses are being developed daily, so this list is by no means exhaustive. The only thing you can do is stay vigilant, maintain your anti-virus software updated, and stay abreast of the current computer virus threats.
Virus: Trojan.Lodear: A Trojan (from Trojan Horse) that tries to download files from a remote source. It will introduce a .dll file into the EXPLORER.EXE process causing system instability.
Virus: W32.Beagle.CO@mm: A mass-mailing worm that lowers security settings. It can delete security-related registry sub keys and may prevent admittance to security-related websites.
Virus: Backdoor.Zagaban: A Trojan that allows the infected computer to be operated as a covert proxy and which may degrade network performance.