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