Computers are powerful tools, but they can also be vulnerable to viruses. Spam emails are another risk to your device, as some of these emails may slow down your productivity or stall the system. When this happens, you'll need to reach out to IT services for help cleaning the computer. If you're unsure whether your computer is slow due to spam emails or a virus, consult the guide below to learn more. 

What Is Spam?

Spam emails can either be malicious in intent or can simply be an attempt to promote a company, product, or individual. The sender tries to maximize their potential audience by emailing as many people as possible, given that there is no cost and low effort associated with doing so.

Some spam emails can be harmful, especially ones with phishing intent. This is a type of scam where a link that can harm your computer is embedded in the body of the email. Clicking the link in a phishing email will download harmful software that can steal sensitive information, including passwords and email logins.

How Do Viruses Differ From Spam?

Viruses differ from spam because they are always malicious in intent. For example, some viruses can hijack your computer system and use it to send malicious information over the internet to other users. Hackers use this technique to infect multiple computers at once and/or to overload or compromise a larger system (like a bank or school). When this type of software is running on your computer in the background, you will notice your machine running much slower. So it is both irritating to you and potentially dangerous for others. 

There are many types of viruses (or malware) as well. For example, ransomware (a type of malware) is designed to lock you out of your own computer until you pay a fee. Keyloggers, while a commonly used benign software, can also be used by hackers to record the keys you press on your keyboard as an attempt to steal information that is typed into websites.

While viruses and spam differ, it's important to educate yourself about how to determine what is safe and what is a scam. Avoiding email from places you do not regularly work or from people you do not normally email is a good first step, both to keep your computer running well and to not compromise any information that criminals could use. If you suspect your computer has a virus, take it to an IT professional before any damage can be done.

If you believe your computer or laptop has been compromised by a virus or malware, contact Microworx in Rochester, NY. They provide exemplary IT services that help eliminate viruses and restore your computer's functionality. Call (585) 271-0050 to request professional IT services and visit the website for more information about their services.