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Computer Virus A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. Malware, adware, and spyware programs are mistakenly called Viruses, but they do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer. Wikipedia Definition Microsoft Definition Computer Worms A computer worm is a self-replicating Malware computer program. It uses a computer network to send copies of itself to other nodes (computers on the network) and it may do so without any user intervention. This is due to security shortcomings on the target computer. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms almost always cause at least some harm to the network, if only by consuming bandwidth, whereas viruses almost always corrupt or modify files on a targeted computer. Wikipedia Definition Spyware Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's personal computer. Sometimes, however, spywares such as keyloggers are installed by the owner of a shared, corporate, or public computer on purpose in order to secretly monitor other users. While the term spyware suggests that software that secretly monitors the user's computing, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity. Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet or functionality of other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software. Wikipedia Definition Trojans A Trojan, sometimes refered to as a Trojan horse, is non-self-replicating malware that appears to perform a desirable function for the user but instead facilitates unauthorized access to the user's computer system. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology. Trojan horses are designed to allow a hacker remote access to a target computer system. Once a Trojan horse has been installed on a target computer system, it is possible for a hacker to access it remotely and perform various operations. The operations that a hacker can perform are limited by user privileges on the target computer system and the design of the Trojan horse. Operations that could be performed by a hacker on a target computer system include:
A trojan differs from a virus in that only a file specifically designed to carry it can do so. Wikipedia Definition Root-Kits A rootkit is a software program or coordinated set of programs system whose purpose is to gain control over a computer system. In effectively all cases, this is a hostile act, though not necessarily hostile to any specific computer system, organization, or person. The attack may be purely adventitious, made against computers reached, for instance through the Internet, which have a vulnerability (a "hole" or "backdoor") to the attack technique being used. An attacker may use a rootkit to replace important parts of the operating system software (sometimes called executables), which may then be used to hide processes and files that the attacker wants to have installed. Access to the target system's hardware, e.g. the reset switch, is rarely required, as a rootkit is designed to seize control of the operating system using a vulnerability present in the running operating system. Typically, rootkits act to obscure their presence on the system through subversion or evasion of standard operating system security scan and surveillance mechanisms. Often they are Trojans as well, fooling users into believing the rootkit is something else, something which they expect will be safe to install and run on their computer system. Some rootkits may have originated as regular applications, intended to take control of a failing or unresponsive system, but in recent years most seem to have been largely malware to help intruders gain access to systems while avoiding detection. Rootkits have been found which attack a variety of operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Solaris. Rootkits often modify parts of the operating system or install themselves as system components such as drivers or kernel modules, depending on the internal details of an operating system's mechanisms. Wikipedia Definition Scare-Ware Scareware comprises several classes of scam software, often with limited or no benefit, sold to consumers via certain unethical marketing practices. The selling approach is designed to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat, generally directed at an unsuspecting user. Some forms of spyware and adware also use scareware tactics. Wikipedia Definition Malware Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Wikipedia Definition Is my Computer Infected? When people grieve about their computer being slow, they instinctively announce that they have a computer virus. While this may be true, especially depending on the slowness of the computer, people must first understand that a computer will get cluttered with oodles of data and degrade over time. Components inside your computer output heat and collect dirt and dust. Some sort of cooling system, such as a fan, are needed to keep your hardware cool, but unfortunately fans bring in the dirt and dust that inevitably reside on your hardware. When computer hardware does not receive adequate cooling, they overheat. Overheating degrades the component itself, causeing your computer's production to slow down, and will eventually end the life of your computer -if proper maintenance is not taken. Program Files, Registry, Internet Files, and so forth; your computer is a huge collector of data. Clutter! Image one filing cabinet with one drawer. The cabinet represents your computer and the drawer represents your Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Within this drawer you have folders that are labeled to distinguish information and reduce confusion. Let's just say that you didn't label any of your folders and you put papers (information) in this drawer with no organization. Time goes on, as does this process, and you need some information from within your Cabinet Drawer. No organized folders with labels and papers all a mess. It's going to take you a long time to find what you're looking for. The same applies to your computer. There's a process called DeFragging your Hard Drive that basically organizes your data and increases computer speed. I could have easily answered the question: "Is my Computer Infected?" by saying, scan your computer and find out. But it's been my experience that people scan for viruses with none detected and their computer remains slow. To scan for viruses and mal-ware, I recommend VIPRE. Out of all Anti-virus / Anti-Spyware programs I have used VIPRE is by far the best. Also check out System Utilities on the Software page. Who's got the Cure? So your computer is Infected and you want to know who has the CURE. The Cure may cost you some money so be ready. It may require taking your computer to a professional for viral extraction and that's not cheap. Go to the Software Page and review the recommended Anti-Virus / Anti-Spyware software called VIPRE!!!! Before consulting a professional and spending HUNDREDS of DOLLARS, try running software first. Programs like VIPRE and Advanced System Protector (link comming soon) update virus/spyware definitions daily and even hourly. The idea to keep in mind is to NOT search for the cure, but PREVENT the need for a cure. Be proactive and not reactive. Practice Internet Safety Minimize Viral Attacks Anti-Virus/Spyware software is only as good as you allow it to be. Malicious data, viruses, worms, spyware, etc., are constantly changing as well as the methods of attacks. Legitimate software used for everyday computing and Internet browsing are constantly changing / being updated ex: adobe flash player, silverlight, and even your operating system. You must understand that YOU are the first line of defense in minimizing viral attacks. Regardless of what Anti-Virus software you have installed on your system, viewing content depends on you and YOU have the ultimate decision on what enters YOUR system. Preventing your system from viral attacks and going to websites that promote viruses is counterproductive. Vipre, probably the best Anti-Virus software that I have used, unless you physically give it the order, will prohibit any type of malicious data to be placed on your computer. Regardless if the content is zipped and/or encrypted, Vipre will reject and quarantine the infected data. If you want to minimize the risks of viral attacks on your computer do the following:
Always remember that you are the first line of defense - You are in the control seat. |
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