First of all, the term "virus" is often used to describe other types of malware, like trojans, worms, rootkits etc., which can cause confusion. There's quite a difference between viruses, trojans, worms and other types of malware.
So, in this post I'm going to put into view the differences between a computer virus and a trojan horse, the most common types of malware that nowadays computer users have to deal with.
About Computer Viruses...
First of all, a computer virus is called a virus, because their multiplication and action is similar to the animal kingdom viruses. A natural virus needs to attach to a living cell's DNA, to change it, to be able to multiply, usually resulting in damage to the living organism it has infected. Similarly, a computer virus needs to attach itself to a certain file of a program (usually to the .exe file), and will start to function and/or multiply when that particular program is run.
Viruses are usually used for sabotage, to delete files, damage programs, prevent a certain computer to operate properly or completely. Or, certain viruses are used as a hoax, without doing any damage to any program or the computer.
A virus usually infects a computer by direct download of files or by accessing malicious web pages, from a computer with a minimal security system. Some are easy to trace and remove, some require the whole reinstallation of the operating system.
About Computer Trojan Horses...
Trojan horses are somewhat similar to viruses, when it comes to the way they can infect a computer. However they don't need to attach to a certain file, rather than that, they create their own spot into your computer. Trojans are typically disguised as useful software, or hidden among the files of certain programs which the user downloads and installs. This way the trojan settles in.
Although various trojans can be used for sabotage, most of them are spyware, meant to steal data from the user's computer and send it to a remote server, from where it can be picked up an processed. Some trojans can even give full control of a user's computer to a different user.
Most trojans are rather difficult to detect and function quietly in the background, that's why it's always a good idea to install an antivirus.
And when it comes to antivirus programs, there are many out there, but not so many for Mac OS X. But since nowadays the numbers of viruses that also attack Mac OS X is increasing, I've got myself an antivirus as well. It's called MacKeepr, it's actually not bad, I'm quite happy with it and its Mac-friendly interface. You can find more about it, here: What is MacKeeper
So, in this post I'm going to put into view the differences between a computer virus and a trojan horse, the most common types of malware that nowadays computer users have to deal with.
About Computer Viruses...
First of all, a computer virus is called a virus, because their multiplication and action is similar to the animal kingdom viruses. A natural virus needs to attach to a living cell's DNA, to change it, to be able to multiply, usually resulting in damage to the living organism it has infected. Similarly, a computer virus needs to attach itself to a certain file of a program (usually to the .exe file), and will start to function and/or multiply when that particular program is run.
Viruses are usually used for sabotage, to delete files, damage programs, prevent a certain computer to operate properly or completely. Or, certain viruses are used as a hoax, without doing any damage to any program or the computer.
A virus usually infects a computer by direct download of files or by accessing malicious web pages, from a computer with a minimal security system. Some are easy to trace and remove, some require the whole reinstallation of the operating system.
About Computer Trojan Horses...
Trojan horses are somewhat similar to viruses, when it comes to the way they can infect a computer. However they don't need to attach to a certain file, rather than that, they create their own spot into your computer. Trojans are typically disguised as useful software, or hidden among the files of certain programs which the user downloads and installs. This way the trojan settles in.
Although various trojans can be used for sabotage, most of them are spyware, meant to steal data from the user's computer and send it to a remote server, from where it can be picked up an processed. Some trojans can even give full control of a user's computer to a different user.
Most trojans are rather difficult to detect and function quietly in the background, that's why it's always a good idea to install an antivirus.
And when it comes to antivirus programs, there are many out there, but not so many for Mac OS X. But since nowadays the numbers of viruses that also attack Mac OS X is increasing, I've got myself an antivirus as well. It's called MacKeepr, it's actually not bad, I'm quite happy with it and its Mac-friendly interface. You can find more about it, here: What is MacKeeper
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