What’s the Difference Between Getting Hacked and Getting a Virus?

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Getting Hacked and Getting a Virus?:

This is a common question, and one that may not have a clearly defined answer. First, you must recognize the distinct differences between a hacker and a virus. A hacker is a person who writes and/or distributes malicious code with a specific goal in mind. Usually, when it comes to hacking individuals rather than businesses, this goal is acquiring information to aid in identity theft.

Getting_hacked_and_getting_a_virus

While you may think this goal would also be the same for hackers attacking businesses, it is not always the case. In instances where businesses have been hacked, it is usually for one of the following reasons:


  • expose secrets a business is hiding from the public
  • steal clientele or trade secrets
  • hurt a business’ profits for the time it takes to fix the damage done by hackers
  • shake client’s trust in the security of their information in the hands of that business

Most such business-targeted attacks are done as a protest to something that business has done or something they support.

What is Virus? 

Viruses, on the contrary, are bits of code created with a specific purpose in mind. Viruses need to be downloaded or otherwise brought onto the system by the user and are often self-replicating. Sometimes viruses are multi-layered aggressive threats, designed to disable anti-virus programs, incapacitate the user’s browser, and begin corrupting vital information and processes. Other viruses are stealthy, slipping onto a computer system undetected and remaining there indefinitely, quietly sending information and documents to third parties.

Here are 8 Useful Virus Protection Tips for You – enjoy a secured life with a secured computer.

From Where Virus is Originated?:

This is really important to understand the difference between getting hacked and getting a virus. Most viruses originate from hackers. In fact a hacker’s favorite tool is a virus. However, there is difference between being hacked and just being infected by a virus. Most common viruses that users stumble onto are the malicious kind, wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting system once allowed to infect it. Most such viruses have no hidden ulterior motives and are used simply as a nuisance, sometimes an expensive nuisance at that, often times costing users endless hours of frustration and lost information.

To protect your computer, you can refer to the post

Role of Hackers and How they Use Virus? :

Hackers, on the other hand, will use the more stealthy viruses to their advantage, using them to log key strokes and to learn the log-in information for banks and other financial institutions, as well as luring friends and family of those infected to also become infected by hijacking the infected computer’s address book and emailing the contacts a copy of the virus.

Result of Infection:

This method of utilizing viruses as a way of extending their reach gives hackers limitless possibilities. All it takes is for one machine to become infected, and before the user ever suspects anything, it’s already been e-mailed to their entire address book, at least a few of which users will fall victim to the ploy, also allowing the hackers to infect their systems.

If you computer is already infected, this post will be helpful for your 10 Steps To Remove A Computer Virus! 

Practice common sense when online. For instance, the following are vital steps you can take to guard against attacks.

  • do not open questionable attachments and e-mails
  • keep up-to-date anti-virus software
  • perform regular scans
  • do not use the same passwords
  • do not store important passwords on your computer

Whether you are concerned about viruses, hackers, or both, for obvious reasons it is extremely important to take precautions against such intrusions. I hope the above discussion clears what is the difference between getting hacked and getting a virus.

If you like the above article, please share this with your friends. If you want to add something in the article, please let me know through comments. I hope you will also love to read my article WordPress Vs Blogger, which Gives the Best Blogging Experience?

Himadri Subrah Saha

Himadri is an ICT Professional who writes for his technology tips & tricks related blog TechnTechie. Though it is hard to balance time in between professional life and blogging, he still manages time to work for his own blog and writes almost regularly. The dashboard of this WordPress is the only place where he does not feel tired! Read my other blogs @ PetCare and Teleinfo

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