| Malware is now a common plague of computers | | | | in the web page itself. |
| these days and has become more common than the | | | | Peer to Peer File Sharing Software. |
| conventional virus. The purpose of this article is to | | | | Peer to Peer software used to download illegal music, |
| explain to you the concept of Malware, the various | | | | video and software is a Malware creators dream. A |
| types of Malware and what to do when your PC gets | | | | lot of the files available on Peer to Peer networks |
| infected by it. | | | | have Malware hidden with them or are not the files |
| What is Malware Anyway? | | | | you were expecting at all. |
| Malware is a malicious piece of software designed to | | | | Popup Messages. |
| damage your PC or spy on your computer activities | | | | It is possible to use what is known as IP Popups to |
| without you knowing about it. What follows is a list of | | | | infect your computer. IP Popups can be sent strait to |
| common types of Malware and their descriptions. | | | | your computers IP address bypassing popup blockers. |
| Adware. | | | | These popups are usually disguised as Windows error |
| Adware is one of the less harmful forms of Malware | | | | messages asking you to 'Click Here' to remedy the |
| which will display a popup advertisement on your | | | | error. When you click the button you are executing |
| computer when your not expecting it. | | | | Malware. |
| Virus. | | | | Instant Messaging Software. |
| A virus is designed to hide within other executable | | | | This may be a surprise to many of you as instant |
| software and to become active when the host | | | | messaging software is becoming very popular. |
| software is activated. It will self replicate and place | | | | Infection usually happens when sharing files with |
| copies of itself into other software or documents. This | | | | people so be careful who you share files with. |
| can cause an increasing infestation of you PC and | | | | Networks. |
| cause all sorts of damage. | | | | Computers on a network can all get infected from one |
| The Worm. | | | | computer as data is passed from computer to |
| A worm is a self replicating and self executing Virus | | | | computer. That is why all computers must be |
| specifically designed to send replicas of itself to other | | | | protected with a firewall and Antivirus software. |
| computers over the internet. It will also use your | | | | Making Your Computer Immune to Malware. |
| computer and your internet connection to launch | | | | Use Internet Securities Software |
| malicious attacks against other computers. | | | | The most effective way to protect your computer is |
| Ransom Ware. | | | | with good quality Antivirus and Antispyware from a |
| Ransom Ware is used to extort money from the | | | | reputable company like Norton or McAfee. It is not |
| computer owner by locking up important files on your | | | | advisable to use free Antivirus software as these |
| computer and displaying a message demanding a | | | | don't tend to be as effective and can also be Malware |
| certain sum of money to get your files unlocked. | | | | disguised as antivirus software. Which ever one you |
| Trojan Horses. | | | | use just make sure that you keep it regularly updated |
| A Trojan Horse as the name suggests is disguised as | | | | and remember to renew your yearly subscription. |
| or sometimes hidden inside other legitimate software. | | | | Remember, out of date antivirus software is |
| They usually get on to your computer in some form of | | | | completely useless. |
| free software downloaded from the internet. | | | | Always use a Firewall. |
| Spyware. | | | | Windows XP and Vista both have a firewall built in and |
| Spyware is designed to monitor and record all of your | | | | you should have them switched on. If you have a |
| keyboard actions, computer usage and internet activity | | | | good internet securities program this will have a |
| including passwords and credit card details and sends | | | | Firewall included which should be used in favour of the |
| them to the maker of the Spyware usually via email. | | | | Microsoft version. |
| Symptoms of an Infected Computer. | | | | Use Windows Update. |
| One of the first signs of infection is a marked | | | | Update regularly to ensure you have all the latest |
| reduction in speed and performance of your PC. | | | | critical security updates. Microsoft are releasing |
| Sometimes even appearing to pause or hang. Another | | | | patches all the time to close up security holes in their |
| is that windows will behave erratically and unstable. | | | | operating systems. |
| You may experience popup windows when you don't | | | | Curing your Infected Computer. |
| expect. If you have a good antivirus program it should | | | | All Antivirus and Internet securities software will be |
| inform you of the presence of Malware and offer to | | | | equipped to remove Malware easily. If you set them |
| remove it for you. | | | | up to do so they will remove Malware automatically |
| How Does my Computer Get Infected. | | | | and then inform you once the offender has been dealt |
| Email. | | | | with. |
| If you receive any email from unknown or unexpected | | | | A Word Of Advice. |
| senders make sure that you scan it before opening it | | | | Visiting illegal or immoral websites will increase your |
| with your antivirus software and if you have any | | | | likely hood of becoming infected considerably as these |
| doubts don't open it. | | | | sites tend to be set up and frequented by people who |
| Websites. | | | | have no scruples and will think nothing of infecting your |
| Browsing some websites that are suspect can lead to | | | | computer along with many others. |
| infection because the Malware can be hidden as code | | | | |