What Is The Difference Between A Virus And All The Other Malware?

[kendellrt]

After participating in this thread I thought that I would post some info that I feel is important, yet misunderstood. I have found that a grip of peopl are using free anti-virus apps, but one of the biggest problems with that is that they don't cover any of the rest of the crapware out there. Viruses are almost a non-issue in today's world, it's the othe junk that is the biggest problem. I spend most of my day repairing Windows due to malware infections than anything else. Spyware is also the #1 cause of identity theft in the US, and the FBI estimates that the amount of spyware out there grows 300% each month.

 

Here is a portion of an article from MacWorld/PCWorld that I feel sums up the differences very well:

 

"...it

[d3bruts1d]

This post appears to focus more on the Mac OS (not common for OCC members), but a good deal of info also works for the Windows world.

 

Additionally, you may want to also take a look at: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/an...cesofcompworld/

 

While some of the end links are out of date, the content is still pretty solid. <_<

[kendellrt]

This post appears to focus more on the Mac OS (not common for OCC members), but a good deal of info also works for the Windows world.

 

Additionally, you may want to also take a look at: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/an...cesofcompworld/

 

While some of the end links are out of date, the content is still pretty solid. <_<

I know that it focuses on Mac OS, however, the definitions of each piece of malware still hold true to Windows. I understood the article as well ad I did simply because of my long time relationship with Windows. I'll look at the link.

[wiewior1984]

Now here's a funny story. The other day a customer came to our company and asked for help. "I have wiruses and what-nots, please do something" I asked then "OK, what sort of Antivirus/Antispyware software are You using? Avast? (most popular in our region) Norton?" HER answer shocked me.

 

You won't believe it. She said she is using Internet Explorer.

 

So I just took the PC and reformated it, because there were no chance to get rid of all the infections

 

It's not that AV software is good or bad. It is the user who is careless. Add some ignorance to it and after 60day's trial of Kaspersky she came again with the same problem: infected PC.

 

best regards,

wiewior1984

[Nerm]

Now here's a funny story. The other day a customer came to our company and asked for help. "I have wiruses and what-nots, please do something" I asked then "OK, what sort of Antivirus/Antispyware software are You using? Avast? (most popular in our region) Norton?" HER answer shocked me.

 

You won't believe it. She said she is using Internet Explorer.

 

So I just took the PC and reformated it, because there were no chance to get rid of all the infections

 

It's not that AV software is good or bad. It is the user who is careless. Add some ignorance to it and after 60day's trial of Kaspersky she came again with the same problem: infected PC.

 

best regards,

wiewior1984

 

format and reload to fix a virus infection? Let me guess you work for Staples or Best Buy. lol

[redtigerdragon]

format and reload to fix a virus infection? Let me guess you work for Staples or Best Buy. lol

[kendellrt]

Sorry to disappoint, but the policy at Best Buy/Geek Squad is fix before format. The only problem is that some people want their computer back in 2 hrs and say they would rather have it formatted and have new security software installed. Tell me the truth now, if you had a clueless person come over and use your PC and got the worst malware infection you've ever seen on it, would you just clean and repair Windows, or would you backup, format and reinstall?

[Nerm]

Sorry to disappoint, but the policy at Best Buy/Geek Squad is fix before format. The only problem is that some people want their computer back in 2 hrs and say they would rather have it formatted and have new security software installed. Tell me the truth now, if you had a clueless person come over and use your PC and got the worst malware infection you've ever seen on it, would you just clean and repair Windows, or would you backup, format and reinstall?

 

I know I am just poking fun. However, some of the techs are almost that bad. And btw I would clean it. F&R should be a last resort. I have been working on computers for over 14 years and have seen less than 5 computers that required a F&R to fix a virus infection and in every one of those cases there were other things wrong besides just the infections.

[Mirkin]

For me it depends on how long the PC has been running aw well, Since I ghost my boot drive about once a month, F&R is not too bad.

[wiewior1984]

Hi all

 

@Nerm: No I don't work at Staples or Best Buy I work at local ISP and I really agree that F&R is the last resort, but I am all alone out there (as a tech, that is) and sometimes there are too many PCs to fix "at once" (though situations like this happen too sledom to hire another tech). + That particular customer was using her PC for web browsing only, so there were no personal data (not even favourites, even the wallpaper was the default one)

But, heck, I was so curious about that infection and maybe I would be able to deal with it - given I had enough time.

 

@chavalcito: And this was just the situation. She came in the morning and wanted her PC fixed by the evening. And I would really like to clean that infection but there was no time to do it "the hard way".

 

And about the matter of clueless people: I invite all curious people; come and see by Youselves how customers think in these here parts

 

best regards,

wiewior1984