What is Malware - Types of Malware
Types of Computer Viruses

The Internet is not a safe place for computers. In fact, surfing the net without Malware Security is like walking through a hospital without having an Immune System. There are thousands of threats, from minimal nuisances to severe threats that can completely and permanently disable vital functions and therefore destroy your laptop and data.

There are many different types of Malware and Computer Viruses as well as different types of security software that can protect, detect and remove these threats. You can view a comprehensive guide with reviews, features and all details to Anti-Virus Software, both free and paid at: Computer Virus Protection Reviews

WHAT IS MALWARE

Malware is short for malicious code software (mal-ware), which includes any and all forms of code designed with malicious intent. Malware is the umbrella under which all Internet dangers fall, such as viruses, worms, spyware, adware, phishing, tracking cookies and rootkits.

TYPES OF MALWARE

Viruses -
Threat Level - Intermediate to Severe
What is a computer virus? A computer virus is a piece of malicious code that adds itself to other existing programs, including operating systems. Computer viruses spread quickly and wreck havoc on computer systems. Including potential destruction of operating systems and data.

There are different types of viruses and they range from being a nuisance that constantly displays pop-ups to being a real severe danger that deletes system files, attaches to registries, destroys ability to log into the Internet and even destroying the computer's operating system along with all the data that is on it. Unless you have completely backed-up the data on your laptop, recovering that data will be impossible if you have to re-install the operating system after a virus infection.

While there are hundreds of different types of viruses with various levels of dangers, one of the most dangerous is the Trojan Horse, all though threat severity levels vary with the different types of Trojans, basically they are all dangerous and should always be protected against. Unfortunately some Trojans infect laptops and cause such damage that it becomes irreversible and a reinstall of the entire operating system becomes necessary.

The best protection against computer viruses is prevention, early detection and removal. A good anti-virus or Malware removal program can protect laptops and provide peace of mind when surfing the net. You can read a guide to anti-virus protection software including all details and reviews of free and paid Anti-Virus programs and our top picks at: Computer Virus Protection Reviews

P2P File Sharing and Virus Dangers:
One of the easiest ways to get a virus on your laptops computers is by using freeware, shareware or person 2 person (P2P) file sharing sites. These sites are free-for-all downloads and mainly known for free music downloads. Some of the most popular of these sites are Limewire, Bearshare and Morpheus. How it works is that you create a free account on these sites, download the software (which is usually full of Spyware/Adware) and get access to millions of other peoples files through what is called the Gnutella Network. You search for particular files, like MP3 music files and download them from other people's computers through this Network .

First this is illegal, but that's a whole other topic. Most important is that you have NO way of knowing what is on these files and many times they carry serious viruses and especially Trojans. These P2P sites are very dangerous for computers and should be avoided. For a few bucks you can get legal and safe music downloads at sites like Napster and Rhapsody. Play it safe, paying the few bucks is well worth it, as it can save lots more money and heartache that it would cost to fix your damaged laptops.

Worms
Threat Level - Severe
A Computer Worm is a a type of Malware that is particularly nasty in that it is a self-replicating computer program, which at one point almost brought the entire Internet to its knees. Unlike a virus, it doesn't attach itself to an existing program and does not infect computer files, instead it wrecks havoc on systems as it creates endless copies of itself, with the goal of taking up as much space as possible on your laptop and creating program problems. Worms almost always cause harm to the network, if only by consuming bandwidth, whereas viruses almost always corrupt or modify files on a targeted computer. Internet worms are prevalent today in the form of email attachments.Two of the worst worms ever were Mydoom and Morris.

Worms are usually sent via email by attachments, you should never open an attachment in your email from an unknown source. Also, when deciding on an anti virus security program it is crucial to make sure that the software covers protection, detection and removal features for worms.

Rootkits
Threat Level - Severe
Rootkit types of computer viruses and Malware are especially dangerous because they actually hide the existence of Malware from computer operating systems and from users. Rootkit techniques create stealth program codes that run at a "lower" level than the user can see with normal anti virus software and Malware removal programs.

Since not all Malware security software protect against rootkits, it is important to look for such protection feature when considering an anti virus software.

Several free anti virus softwares provide rootkit protection, get the details at: Anti-Virus and Spyware Protection Software

Spyware
Threat Level - Low to Severe
Spyware is one of the most common types of Malware and often significantly slows computer performance. Spyware spies on your Internet activities and comes in forms of keyloggers (where your keystrokes are monitored), recording/sending your web browsing habits to a third party, causing constant unwanted pop-up adds, hijacking home/search pages and making automatic changes to those and redirecting browsing results. It is like Adware on turbo charge, abusing its ability to monitor the user's activity.

Spyware can get installed on your computer in several ways:
1. Clicking on a bad link from a bad site.
2. Pop-ups which are small windows of advertising that pop up during web browsing.
3. "Drive-by" type download, where Spyware can infect your computer, without you noticing, just by visiting a bad web page. Tip: All web browsers allow you to check a "block pop-ups" selection which can be accessed from the browser toolbar under options.

Several Malware protection programs offer "drive-by" protection.

Adware
Threat Level: Low to Intermediate
A type of Advertising Display Software that delivers advertising content potentially in a manner or context that is unexpected, unsolicited and automatically loaded. Many adware applications also perform tracking functions, and therefore may also be categorized as Tracking Technologies. Adware removal is fairly easy with a good software.

Adware causes pop-up windows that may contain banner advertisements in the Web browser based on the information it collects from the user's browsing patterns. Sometimes adware may be installed in conjunction with a companion spyware program.

Anti Spyware & Adware security software programs are available that can protect your laptops from Spyware/Adware invasions. Some Anti Virus programs come with Spyware protection attached and some Anti Spywares are stand alones.

Whichever you choose, make sure that the software offers "real time" protection that provides blocking and alerts to bad sites and provides a safe browsing/surfing experience.

It is best to have a combination of software, like an anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall. You can read reviews and compare several virus protection programs, many of which are free at: Anti-Virus and Spyware Protection Software

Phishing
Threat Level - Severe
"Phishing” is a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal valuable information such as credit cards, social security numbers, user IDs and passwords. A duplicate or "phishing" site of a legitimate site is created to dupe users into logging in and therefore stealing private information. Phishing scams are usually perpetrated via mass emails which portray some "problem with your customer account" usually from a bank, or Paypal or some other institution that lures people into entering their private data by following a link to the "phishing site" of a real site like Bank of America.

The recent IRS rebates spawned a "phishing" scam, where mass emails were sent with IRS logos informing taxpayers that they are due a rebate check but they must first follow the IRS link and input their information to receive the rebate. The link, of course, led to phishing site where unsuspecting people entered info like social security numbers which were hijacked by identity thieves.

Here is an example of one of such emails. When clicking on the link, you are asked name address, social AND your credit card numbers in order to deposit your refund. This one is really lame because of the obvious misspellings and grammatical errors. However, others look a lot more professional and convincing.

TIP: Banks, and other reputable company/agency do not usually send emails soliciting private data. Paypal clearly advises their customers that they never solicit private information via email. And, the IRS has a fraud alert on their homepage advising taxpayers of such "phishing" emails.

If you get emails like this just hit the SPAM button and run for your life. If you really feel that the email may be valid, at the least you should chek with the institution that sent it in some other way besides clicking through the email link.

In addition to email, there is also the danger of running into a "phishing site" while web browsing, it is important to have protection that will alert to "phishing" sites so that you do not become an unwitting victim

Phishing security is not standard on all anti virus software and Malware removal programs. When considering a security program make sure to look for "phishing protection."

"Drive-By" Downloads
Threat Level - Low to Severe
"Drive-By" download is where Malware can infect your computer, without you noticing, just by visiting a web page. The Malware codes are embedded in these "bad" sites and looks for users systems to become hosts to attach itself to.

Once again choosing a security software that provides "drive-by" or "real time" protection can protect your laptops from these malicious sites.

You can learn about Malware security programs that include "phishing" and "drive-by" protection at: Guide to Free Malware Removers

E-Mail Protection -
Another important issue is email. Viruses, worms and other Malware is often sent via email attachments, be careful when opening emails from unknown sources and especially opening attachments, it is best to just delete and spam the email. Most Malware security programs come with email protection, and it is important to make sure that the real time email scanner is activated on the software.

Cookies
Threat Level: Low
Some cookies are positive and really do not harm your system in anyway and simply temporarily store your log-in information so that you do not have to enter it again when you return to that site. Certain sites will not run properly without a cookies enabled and so they are a necessary element. Those temporary cookies can be cleared within your browser at any time you wish.

On the other hand Tracking Cookies are a form of Tracking Technology. Tracking Cookies are used to track the surfing habits of users in order to manage, analyze advertising data, and they may be used with the more malicious intent of monitoring user activity more closely.

Tracking cookies are usually easily detected and come standard on all anti virus and Malware security software.

There are many Malware security softwares that combine protections for all threats and some are limited. As a rule you cannot have more than one anti-virus software installed on one computer because they will not function properly, but you can have one anti-virus and another or several other anti-spyware programs. Sometimes a combination of programs can provide the ultimate security.

It is much more difficult to remove Malware if infection occurs than to protect against it. And again, some Malware is so harmful that permanent damage can occur to where the entire Operating System must be reinstalled and all data lost. Prevention with anti-virus and Spyware software is key.

You can learn more and see a long list, including details and reviews of free and paid computer virus, Malware protection programs and free firewalls at: Guide to Computer Anti-Virus Software

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What is Malware - Types of Malware
Types of Computer Viruses

WHAT IS MALWARE

TYPES OF MALWARE

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What is Malware - Types of Malware Types of Computer Viruses

WHAT IS MALWARE

TYPES OF MALWARE

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What is Malware - Types of Malware
Types of Computer Viruses