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