subject: Threats to your Computer [print this page] Threats to your Computer Threats to your Computer
Each year the number of threats to your computer increase exponentially and become more and more complex. This complexity has been categorized into several types. These types are often referred collectively as "malware." Malware, short for malicious software, is clearly hostile or harmful functions or behavior that is used to compromise and endanger individual computers, as well as entire networks. Some common types of malware include adware, rootkits, spyware, trojans, viruses, and worms.
What is adware?
Adware, also known as advertising software, is often contextually or behaviorally based and tracks browsing habits in order to display third-party ads that are meant to be relevant to the user. The ads can take several forms, including pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, or links embedded within web pages or parts of the Windows interface. Some adware advertising might consist of text ads shown within the application itself or within side bars, search bars, and search results.
What is a rogue security program?
A rogue security program is software of unknown or questionable origin, or doubtful value. A rogue security program usually shows up on websites or SPAM emails as intrusive warnings that claim that your computer is infected and offer to scan and clean it. These should never be trusted. Reputable antivirus or antispyware companies will NEVER use this way of "notifying" you. A rogue security program may appear like an ordinary antivirus or antimalware program, but will instead attempt to dupe or badger you into purchasing the program. While some rogue security programs are the equivalent to "snake oil" salesman resulting in no good, others may actually result in harm by installing malware or even stealing the credit information that you enter and possibly resulting in identity theft. Further, you need to be cautious about closing or deleting these alerts, even when you know they're fake.
What are rootkits?
A rootkit is software that cloaks the presence of files and data to evade detection, while allowing an attacker to take control of the machine without the user's knowledge. Rootkits are typically used by malware including viruses, spyware, trojans, and backdoors, to conceal themselves from the user and malware detection software such as anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. Rootkits are also used by some adware applications and DRM (Digital Rights Management) programs to thwart the removal of that unwanted software by users.
What is spyware?
Spyware is software that transmits information to a third party without notifying you. It is also referred to as trackware, hijackware, scumware, snoopware, and thiefware. Some privacy advocates even call legitimate access control, filtering, Internet monitoring, password recovery, security, and surveillance software "spyware" because those could be used without notifying you.
What is a trojan?
A trojan is installed under false or deceptive pretenses and often without the user's full knowledge and consent. In other words, what may appear to be completely harmless to a user is in fact harmful by containing malicious code. Most trojans exhibit some form of malicious, hostile, or harmful functionality or behavior.
What is a virus?
A computer virus is a piece of malicious code that has the ability to replicate itself and invade other programs or files in order to spread within the infected machine. Viruses typically spread when users execute infected files or load infected media, especially removable media such as CD-ROMs or flashdrives.Viruses can also spread via email through infected attachments and files. Most viruses include a "payload" that can be anywhere from annoying and disruptive to harmful and damaging; viruses can cause system damage, loss of valuable data, or can be used to install other malware.
What is a worm?
A worm is a malicious program that spreads itself without any user intervention. Worms are similar to viruses in that they self-replicate. Unlike viruses, however, worms spread without attaching to or infecting other programs and files. A worm can spread across computer networks via security holes on vulnerable machines connected to the network. Worms can also spread through email by sending copies of itself to everyone in the user's address book. A worm may consume a large amount of system resources and cause the machine to become noticeably sluggish and unreliable. Some worms may be used to compromise infected machines and download additional malicious software.
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