Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[kerstin]

What do you call the program some hikers want to install into your computer in order to steal your document or invade your privacy?
And how do you call the action?



Thanks

[asterix]

They are called hackers and they hack into your computer.
If they steal your personal codes, such as your bank details - it's called identity theft.
If they upload an application to your machine that tells them what you are doing it's called spyware.
Spyware can also be loaded onto your computer when you access some legitimate sites.

[Corey]

Another word for it is "malware".

A "worm" is also a type of virus commonly used by people trying to take control of someone else's computer.
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[kerstin]

"My computer is caught up in a worm/virus/spyware/malware."
-Is that how you people say it?
And could you tell me the other ways to describe these kinds of situation?

"There have been an identity theft into/onto my computer."
Which is correct?into or onto?

Thanks again

[CP]

I think you would say, "My computer is infected with a worm / a virus / spyware / malware." Maybe also, "My computer caught a virus" or "Some execrable pustule sent me a virus!"

--"There have been an identity theft into/onto my computer."
Which is correct?into or onto?
Well, the identity theft is what happens when the execrable pustule gets the personal information from your computer and uses it to steal your money. So you wouldn't really express it this way.
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[kerstin]

when your computer infected with a virus,you have to do a process ,which is like setting up all the programs,and all the files inside are gone besides those in the D disc.How do you call the process?

Thanks a lot.

[bud]

I think you're referring to a restore. A complete restore returns your computer to what it was when you first took it out of the box.