Computer Virus

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy

itself and infect a computer.

Malware

short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer without the owner's

informed consent.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and that collects information about users

without their knowledge

Computer Worm

A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program. It uses a network to send copies of itself to other nodes

(computers on the network) and it may do so without any user

intervention.

Trojan Horse

The Trojan Horse was a tale from the Trojan War, as told in Virgil's

Latin epic poem The Aeneid.

Antivirus (or anti-virus)

Antivirus (or anti-virus) software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including computer viruses,

worms, and trojan horses. Such programs may also prevent and

remove adware, spyware, and other forms of malware.

Note:

A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in some form of

executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because

a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable

medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their

chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system

or a file system that is accessed by another computer.

Adware or advertising-supported software

is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is

installed on it or while the application is being used. Some types of adware

are also spyware and can be classified as

privacy-invasive software.