'malware' was a new word for me.

According to our friend Wikipedia, Malware is defined like this:

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming (code, scripts, active content, and other software) designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, gain unauthorized access to system resources, and other abusive behavior.

First, I am not a computer kind of person.
The first computer I used was WindowsME, from 2002.
Had no idea what Apple and Mac was until high school.
My first interaction with Mac computer: last year (2010).
(didn't even know how to turn that thing on.)

This class was the first time I heard of the term "malware".

Despite the definitions on the web,
I still had a question.

What is the difference between 'malware' and 'virus'?

So I went on google,
type in
'malware virus difference'

and here it is!
Someone had the same question!

The chosen best answer:

Malware is any piece of bad software, like viruses, worms, spyware and trojans. So malware and viruses are the same thing.

Very simple and short.
I really like it!
So, if I was to take notes, I would write it down like

    Malware
      - virus
      - worms
      - spyware
      - trojans

(is this correct?)
Since I have never heard of 'malware',
I have no idea what 'worms', spyware', and 'trojans' are.
Also, I only have stereotypical image of virus (like those on dramas and movies)
so I thought I need a clear definition.

So, I go on google again!
And I find this question:

What's the difference between a virus, worm, malware, spyware, and trojan?

There was a very long, but very well-detailed answer by this person called N Smith.
I wanted to post it up here,
but this blog was going to be really long, so I'll just put the URL.

After doing some research,
I was glad that a lot of people had the same question I had.
They may have heard of these words long before me,
but I was still relieved. haha.

Malware = evil.

Malware is just another dirty word. 

haha.



Question for final exam:
-  Malware, virus, trojan, worms, spyware are basically the same thing. (true/false)
-  "Malware" is short for
     (malnutrition, warehouse) (malicious, spyware) (malicious, software) (malaria, software)



(｀=ω=´)ﾉｼ