Viruses & malware, explained.

"Virus" and "malware" are words that get used interchangeably, but they don't quite mean the same thing. Knowing the difference helps you understand what's going on — and stops scammers from frightening you with words.

A short glossary, in plain English

Malware

The umbrella word. It just means "any software that does something bad". Anything in this article is malware. The word itself isn't scary — it just means "harmful programme".

Virus

A specific kind of malware that copies itself onto other files and spreads. They were everywhere in the 1990s; less so now. When most people say "virus" they really mean malware in general.

Spyware

Malware that watches what you do — what you type, what websites you visit, sometimes what's on your screen. The goal is usually to capture passwords or bank details.

Ransomware

The nastiest sort. It locks all the files on your computer and demands money to unlock them. Don't pay. Ring us. Modern backups usually let us recover everything.

Adware

The most common modern annoyance. Not particularly dangerous, but it floods your computer with pop-ups and advertisements. Often gets in alongside a "free" download.

How they get in

Almost all malware arrives in one of three ways:

1. An email attachment you opened — a "delivery notice", an "invoice", a "scanned document from your bank".
2. A downloaded programme that pretended to be something useful — free PDF viewers, free anti-virus, free games. The "free" version often contained malware in addition to the thing you wanted.
3. A dodgy website you ended up on — usually by clicking a link in a scam email, or by getting redirected from a search result.

Notice the pattern? In every case, you (or someone) clicked or opened something. Modern computers are reasonably good at protecting themselves, provided you don't let things in. So the simplest protection is also the best:

If you didn't ask for it, don't open it.

Signs you might have something

• Your computer has become noticeably slower.
• Pop-up adverts appear, even when you're not browsing.
• Your home page has changed, or your searches go to a new search engine.
• Programmes you don't recognise have appeared on your computer.
• Your computer crashes, freezes, or restarts on its own.
• Your browser warnings start firing on every site.

None of these on their own are conclusive — but two or three of them together usually mean something's in there.

If you think you've got something

1. Don't panic. It can almost always be cleaned safely.
2. Don't pay anyone who's "warning" you about it. Especially not the pop-up "warnings" themselves — those are the malware.
3. Disconnect from the internet if it's safe to do so — pull out the network cable, or turn off WiFi.
4. Ring us. A virus-removal session is included in membership, or available as a one-off. We'll usually have it sorted in under an hour.

How to stay clean, in five easy habits

1. Keep Windows (or your Mac) up to date. Just accept the updates when they appear.
2. Don't open attachments from people you don't know. If in doubt, ring the sender (using a number you trust) and ask.
3. Don't download "free" anti-virus or "free" PDF tools. Windows already comes with Microsoft Defender, which is excellent. Free third-party tools are often the very thing they claim to protect you from.
4. Use a good browser. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox — kept up to date.
5. If you ever feel unsure, ring us before clicking. We mean it.

One short telephone call to 07432 086 899 can save you a great deal of stress and money. Please don't hesitate to use us.