What is Computer Malware?
Computer malware is a general term that is used to refer to software designed to infect a computer either without the user’s permission, or by tricking one into download a program or attachment. Malware will then either damage the computer’s files or programs, use the computer for unintended means, or steal personal information of a user. The term computer virus is used to commonly describe all forms of malware by the general public, even though a virus is only one type of malware. Other types of computer malware are: Trojans, Worms, Spyware, and Rootkits. The Malware Dictionary is an online resource to help users determine what malware may be infecting their computer as well as get them pointed in the correct direction for removal. A significant portion of the battle against computer malware is won through education of the computer user, maintaining good computer security practices, and just figuring out how to decipher what one’s anti-virus program is telling them the computer is infected with!
Malware Dictionary – Computer Virus
A computer virus by its nature is made to infect the files on a computer by self-replication on the computer system. It is designed to spread to other computers through a variety of means to include: email, infecting other files, infecting files copied to external disks, and through instant messaging. A computer virus does not have to have a payload that does harm to your computer. Many are designed to steal private data of the computer user to send to remote computers to be used by hackers. They may also be solely designed to interfere with your computer’s normal operations.
Malware Dictionary – Computer Worm
A computer worm is made to spread to other computers by using the Internet to send copies of the worm to further spread the infection. The majority of computer worms do damage by bogging down system and network resources through their rapid spread. Some worms are combined with other computer malware in order to deliver damaging payloads to user’s computers.
Malware Dictionary – Trojan Virus
A Trojan Virus is a form of computer malware that infects a computer through either disguising itself as a useful file or program (think free MP3’s, pornography, and Social Networking Websites). Once the Trojan is infected on your computer other malware may be downloaded by the Trojan or contained with the file as payload files which can further damage your computer. Trojan Viruses by themselves, are not known for self replication, but rely on user action and other malware for propagation.
Malware Dictionary – Computer Spyware
Computer Spyware is a form of computer malware that is installed on a computer without the user’s permission. Spyware can also be designed to steal the user’s private information to send to remote computer servers. Spyware is also known to change settings on a user’s computer to include: 1 – The default home page, 2- Search Engine Default Pages (ie google.com goes to fakegooglebyahacker.com without you knowing about it), and 3 – Serve as a gateway for other computer malware. Computer spyware is not designed to self-replicate like computer viruses, but commonly exploits security vulnerabilities in web browsers and operating systems to infect a computer in addition to manual user action to download and install. A recent development in computer spyware is deployment of “fake spyware removal software” which is really spyware in disguise.
Malware Dictionary – Computer Adware
Computer adware is a form of computer malware that displays or downloads advertisements to a user’s computer with or without their permission. Once infected, adware will significantly increase the amount of ads displayed on your computer and can negatively impact computer performance. Adware can also be installed on a computer as the payload of other computer malware.
Malware Dictionary – Rootkit?
Rootkit is a form of computer malware that installs itself deep within a computer’s operating system. They are designed to change the operation of Operating System files and functions and can be very challenging to remove. Rootkits have also been known to provide a gateway to other computer malware being installed on a computer.
Basic Computer Malware Safe Practices and Removal
For the average computer user, basic steps of computer safety normally entail:
1 – Keeping one’s computer Operating System updated with the latest updates and patches.
2 - Having an anti-virus program installed on one’s computer and regularly updated.
3 - Avoiding surfing to at-risk websites such as pornography, free file sharing services, etc.
4 – Consider using the Mozilla Firefox Web Browser or Google Chrome instead of the default web browser installed on your computer.
Basic malware removal steps can be found here.
Other
This document is maintained at The Malware Dictionary and is updated as required. Feedback on additions and corrections is welcome!
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