What is the difference between a worm and a virus?

I am considering installing an antivirus software on my computer, but am confused by the variety of products available. There are everything from AV software to Worm removal tools to firewalls, etc.

Which is the best to use? Should I have both and AV and a worm remover? Thanks for the help.

 

a worm is a type of virus that "worms" it's way through computers and networks via replication and typically is malicious.

 

The worm remover programs you're seeing out there are for cleaning up after specific infections. If you haven't got a worm, don't worry about those programs.

Get a top-notch anti-virus program, and then UPDATE IT every time you think about breathing. Out-of-date anti-virus program files are worse than none at all.

Do a Search on this forum for "virus program," and you'll find tons of stuff pro and con about everything. Then make up your own mind.

 

I downloaded an antivirus program from this website, but when I ran a virus scan it did not find anything.

However I have been receiving messages on my e-mail claiming that I am sending out spam to people I have never heard of. I hardly ever use my e-mail account and would never spam anyone. One of the messages even says this:

Antigen for Exchange found details.pif matching FILE FILTER= *.pif file filter.
The file is currently Removed. The message, "Re: Your application", was
sent from (my email address) and was discovered in SMTP Messages\Inbound And Outbound
located at Reactivity/First Administrative Group/MAILSERVER.

I'm not sure what this means, but I think it must mean that I have a virus that is using my email account to send spam to people. Does anyone understand what this message means and what I can do about it? Since my AV program can't find a virus, I am at a dead end.

 

A virus is generally one that spreads because the user did something, like open an attachment etc etc. Worms spread through exploits and don't need users to do anything except leave their system on or unpatched...

 

My AV program is completely up to date. I will try ad aware and see if that helps. Thanks.

I downloaded the SoBig fix tool, but after scanning my computer, it informed me that SoBig was not found on my computer. What next?

 

If your AV program doesn't say anything there is probably nothing, AV programs scan for Viruses, trojans, worms, etc. so if you have a good AV just keep it up to date and don't wory about out things....

 

Thanks for the input. I guess no harm is done if my AV says there is no virus. I really don't like someone using my e-mail address in this way, though. Makes me mad!

Hey, S0mE0nEsMiNd! Did you change your screen name? How did you do it? (I wanted to change mine, but can't figure out how.)

 

No he did not, if you want to PM MA or CP but make sure it's for a good reason or you're a reg....

 

you are an indirect victim of the sobig virus. You don't have it but people who have YOU on their contacts list do. The virus will spoof email accounts and send infected mails to people using your account name.

 

The internet sometimes reminds me of the wild west. There is no law west of the Pecos!!!

I guess if there is nothing to be done, then I will give up for now. But does anyone else here get the creeps thinking about what trash just anyone could be sending out using someone else's email? After all...what if one of my friends or relatives gets some porn or something that has MY email addy attached to it??? YIKES!

 

This explanation in slides
http://www.cis.gsu.edu/~rbaskerv/cis8680/Lessons/virus/slide2.html

 

They probably do, spoofing e-mails is easy, and spammers commonly mis-use poorly configured Open SMTP relays to spoof e-mails and what not, hell I can spoof georgebush@whitehouse.gov if I wanted to, SMTP is not very secure and I'm hoping someone somewhere is thinking up a new protocol/RFC for a better way to send mail