Malware

If you using the Internet you are most likely to have some form of malware which is already working on your PC. As computer viruses is everywhere these days, and one of these viruses called the Malware in its many forms poses one of one of the biggest threats to computer users on the Internet today.

What is Malware?

Malware is short descriptions of "malicious" software a term used to broadly classify a form of software which is installed in a computer system mostly without the owner’s permission with malicious intentions as it is often packaged with other software that the user does in fact choose to install and make the system do something that the hacker wants it to do. Malware is a software program that is designed to either do harm to a computer, operating system or hardware, or to steal confidential information stored or being worked on a computer. These programs harm the computer running it, or the user of that computer.

Malware includes things like Spyware, Trojans, Adware, rootkits, dialers, Keyloggers, denial of service attacks, botnets, Crimeware, Badware, viruses worms and any other types of unwanted or potentially unwanted software. It can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, serve up nasty pop-up ads, track what web sites you visit or offline PC activity, may save or transmit those findings to others and generally screw things up.

Most of the times Malware programs are usually poorly-programmed and can cause your computer to become very slow and unstable. It is because Malware can be written for any malicious purpose. Malware is usually not only written and installed strictly for financial gain or espionage, they can also be written for any malicious purpose. In addition to financial gain or espionage, the creator of Malware may be motivated by revenge, anger, notoriety. The creator might only want to see how widespread the infection could become, with little concern about the damage it could cause.

How do I get infected?

Malware transmit by downloading freeware and shareware or swapping files. Like Music files, free toolbars, pictures, screen savers and other applications. Malware is also delivered via spam, your computer get infected when you open a malicious message or attachment.

They could automatically launch themselves the moment you open an attachment via emails.

Malware can be installed from simply visiting an infected website.

Malware are installed from sites purporting as software providers. Most of them will attempt to convince you to download a removal tool, claiming that your system is infected.

How do I protect my system?

Anti-virus programs can be configured to scan email for any type of malicious or suspicious code, and alert you to its presence, even if it is not currently recognized malware. However, they will frequently miss certain types of malware, such as Trojans and spyware, so it is a good idea to run at least one anti-adware program in conjunction with anti-virus.

Utilizing a firewall is also helpful. While it won't keep malware out, it can keep such programs from accessing the internet and delivering your personal information to the intended target.

Be more careful about e-mail attachments. Unless you are very sure that the e-mail is from a reliable source, and don’t open the attachment. Scan with anti-malware software is a safety step, but the newest viruses may still get through. Be conservative about your own use of attachments. Cut and paste plain text into e-mails whenever possible.

Be more careful about file downloads; even files from reliable places can contain malware.

Be more careful about links in e-mails and online because those links can trigger file downloads or start up executable files.

Use appropriate security settings for your computer’s operating system, browser, and e-mail software as it can be set to protect you against the most common forms of attack.

Keep your computer’s operating system, internet browser, and e-mail software up to date using whatever automatic update features that are available. Malware designers target software vulnerabilities, particularly those for which “patches” have recently been issued.

PayPal, use a bookmark you have previously saved. Don't just follow a link in an unexpected message in an instant messaging client, even if it appears to come from someone on your friends list; malware is designed to exploit trust.

Don’t click on pop-ups.

Don't use unsolicited media, e.g. DVDs, CDs, ZIP disks.

Don't run programs or open documents (like Word/Excel) whose origin you don't know.

Maintain regular backups of all important material on your computer, in case you ever need to recover from a major virus infection or any other disaster.

Hoax email messages about viruses are extremely common. Messages which suggest that just reading an email message can trash your hard disk.

Beware sudden Alerts or Warnings, sometimes when you browse a website you may experience an alert pop-up warning you that threats or viruses have been detected. These pop up offers to fix this issue for you. However this is not a real threat and the program it installs gives you the illusion that it is protecting your computer from Spyware or Threats.

How do I know if I get infected?

Check for these few signs:

1. Is your computer running more unbearable slow than you would expected?

2. Does your computer keep crashing?

3. Do you experience popup windows and adverts when you are accessing the internet?

4. Is your hard drive being accessed even though when you are not using your computer?

If any of the questions above is "yes" then your computer may be infected with spyware, adware or malware.