What's the difference between spyware and a virus?

• Spyware (sometimes called adware) collects information about you without appropriate notice and consent.
• A computer virus spreads software, usually malicious in nature, from computer to computer.

Spyware can get installed on your computer in a number of ways. One way is through a virus. Another way is for it to be secretly downloaded and installed with other software you've chosen to install.

In short, spyware is a specific type of unwanted software that secretly collects your information.

A virus is a specific way software can be secretly distributed, often by e-mail or instant messaging.

Both spyware and viruses can cause damage to your computer or cause you to lose important data.

To help protect against spyware, try Windows Defender. (Windows Defender is built into Windows Vista.) To help protect against viruses, try antivirus software.