Computer Malwareis the term used to describe computer software that is designed to infect one’s computer with a computer virus, rootkit, spyware, or adware. The term malware comes from malcious (intent) + software. It is the more correct term for the majority of infections a computer will receive differing from the term computer virus which refers to only a subset of all computer malware. Once a computer is infected with malware, it will either damage the computer’s files or programs, use the computer to conduct unapproved actions (by the owner) by others, display advertisements, or steal the user’s personal information. Specific types of computer malware are: Trojan Viruses, Computer Viruses, Worms, Spyware, Adware, and Rootkits.
Methods of Computer Malware Infection
Computer Malware may spread in a number of ways. It may infect your computer directly through security holes in your Operating System or Internet Browser, through infected email attachments, through security holes in Instant Messaging programs, through the boot sector of portable media drives such as USB sticks and portable hard drives, through infected multimedia files such as MP3′s and movie files, and through injection into legitimate applications. Many computer malware producers take advantage of the fact that over 50% of computer users either don’t have anti-malware protection or don’t update what they do have on their computer.
Trends in Computer Malware
One of the latest trends in Computer Malware has been the emergence of the rogue anti-spyware Trojan Virus/Spyware. These programs infect your computer through a variety of means, and display fake virus and spyware infection messages to the user. Their primary goal is to trick the user into downloading a paid version of their software in order to “remove” the infection. The only catch is when the user does buy their product, additional computer malware is installed on the targeted computer and the problem becomes worse! Some examples of this latest trend in computer malware are the W32.Fake Raken and W32.Barracuda Spyware.
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