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The term "malware" encompasses
Trojans, adware, spyware, keyloggers, hijackers,
dialers, and things of that ilk. Malware
stems from malevolent, malicious or malignant
-- take your pick. If you're curious about
whats out there on the Internet, take a look
at this list of threats, maintained by PestPatrol.
Virus attacks have declined this year (2003).
Hostile software writers have graduated to
more detrimental attacks, such as Trojan-horses
and spyware. The number of these kinds of
attacks has increased dramatically. There's
almost too many types of Web site trickery
to keep track of.
Spam techniques are now being used extensively
to distribute viruses and worms. Melissa,
Love Bug, and MyDoom are examples where malware
uses spam techniques to propagate itself
after being triggered by the user. Some viruses
are designed to broadcast spam. For example,
the SoBig worm installed software and then
used it to relay spam.
Malware delivery
Malware can invade your computer using one
or more "attack vectors", in particular email, email attachments,
evil websites and evil hackers (the "4
E's"). Instant messaging, IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and P2P file-sharing
networks are beginning to provide new routes
of attack. These Internet services rely on
cozy connections between your computer and
others. That makes these services handy vectors for hostile exploits. [info]
More malware gets into computers
from popup
windows and other Web page chenanigans
these
days than from email attachments.
Those of
who are frequently online have
gotten used
to seeing popups or other notices
from Web
sites advising us that we need
additional
software to fix a problem, properly
view
a page, or some such malarkey.
(Yeah, like
I can really read Chinese characters
if they
were "displayed correctly".)
When asked if we want to download and install
the software, clicking OK can be a reflex
action. Spyware writers know this. They set
their bait, and a lot of us go for it (picture
a mouse with its neck in a trap at this point).
Sometimes, there's a tempting offer we can't
resist. It may be combined familiar graphics
or a look-alike Web address that makes it
look like something we can trust. You just
can't be too careful these days. There's
no limit to the deviousness these parasites
can come up with. Treat it like spam. If
you didn't ask for it, just ignore it.
Is your computer infested with malware?
Possibly. You can either install
anti-malware software or go online to screen your computer for malware. The
online tests take a while --
maybe as much
as 30 minutes -- but the sites
provide good
advice on the results. It's a
good idea to
do both, especially if you have
any suspicions.
Malware descriptions
Trojan horses are delivered by attachments, worms or hackers.
They allow the Trojan master (or others)
to control your computer remotely, including
spying on you and stealing from you. Trojans
are often used to attack other computers
so that attacks can't be traced to the actual
perpetrator.
Spyware has become the most common kind of malware
after viruses. Spyware snoops while you use
your computer and uses what it finds to take
advantage of you in some way. Spyware is
generated by "bottom-feeders" of
various ilks (some of them at major companies).
Spyware often contains defective code, and
it can bog down your computer or make it
prone to crash. Keyloggers are a form of spyware. They capture and pass along your keystrokes.
Adware is freeware that displays ads while you
use it. It often sneaks spyware
in with it.
Dialers hijack your modem and dial offshore numbers
or premium services. The end result can be
huge charges, which are nearly impossible to
get removed.
Browser hijackers set browser home pages and search settings
to the perpetrator's site or to sites that
are in collusion with them.
It's not very important to understand exactly
what each of these categories of malware
does. It's more important to keep all of
it off your computer. The next page will help you do that.
related page > anti-malware
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