Spyware vs Virus

Today I learned the difference between these two. As I was roaming around on internet during work, a message popped up onto my screen.

“Please contact the service desk immediately. A virus has been detected on your computer”

My first thought, “Crap. They are going to think I’m going to crazy sights while I’m at work.” My second thought, “Crap. What if EVERYONE in the bank gets infected with the virus?” So I quickly call the service desk and try to play it off… as if I had no idea what the message was referring to. (Unfortunately, they can monitor everything I do on the computer, so I knew that they knew I was surfing the net.) Anyhow, turns out it was only spyware. It shows up on our system as a virus but it truly just makes my computer run slower. After two techs worked on my computer here are the comments the left me:

1. Tech 1: Be careful on what you click on. You may catch a virus and spread it to EVERYONE in the bank. (Thanks, I know.)
2. Tech 2: No worries! You’re fine and so is your computer. If the virus scan pops up again, here is my extension. Just give me a ring.

I like the second tech a lot better. Thanks Dave.