Malware? Spyware? Rootkits? What does this all mean?
For those of you who use your PC as a tool to read email, look at the Internet and write a few letters all the terminology that comes out of the computer industry can be confusing. I’ll try to explain what each of the common terms mean in understandable language.
Malware
A generic term given to any computer program with undesirable consequences. Viruses, Spyware and Rootkits are all Malware.
Virus
Most people know what these are. This term is given to a malicous program that infects a machine without the user being aware of it. It is capable of reproducing itself and infecting other computers. Viruses typically have a number of purposes:
Hijack
They may allow somebody to use your PC from another location for illegal activites by hijacking it. You will not realise they are doing it but may notice the Internet and PC are running slowly.
Malicous attack
These type of viruses are designed to make your PC unusable. They will do this by damaging important files needed for your computer to start up and operate. This type of virus is not so common as most are designed to give the virus author some financial benefit.
Malware can infect your PC in a number of ways. Some of the most common are:
Email attachments
The virus can be hidden in an email attachment. It could be a Word document, a spreadsheet a link to a website or a program. It’s worth considering that
some viruses use emails to infect other computers and can do this without the knowledge of the person who has the virus. Therefore you should treat all email attachments of these types with caution, even it is from a friend. Most anti-virus software has the capability of scanning emails when you use some of the common email programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mail.
Websites
Some websites can infect your PC with a virus. If a website asks you to install something on your PC be suspicious. Be careful what buttons you click on when you are on an unfamiliar website. Some anti-virus software and internet browsers will warn you if the site you attempting to go to is known to pass on viruses. Ignore any warnings your internet browser give you at your peril.
Worms
Viruses can infect your machine via your internet connection without you doing anything at all. They find your machine on the internet by scanning for machines
then launching an attack. If your PC gets hijacked (explained above) it may be used to infect other unsuspecting Internet users using a worm program. A good firewall will prevent most worms from getting on to your PC. If you have a broadband router (the box of tricks that connects you to the Internet) it will have a built in firewall that will also help. It’s also worth making sure your are up to date with your Windows updates. These are usually downloaded automatically and you will know when you have outstanding ones as it will ask you to install them when you shut down your PC. These updates can be correct problems with Windows that worms can take advantage of to get onto your PC.
Rootkits
A Rootkit is probably the worst type of Malware you can have infect your PC. It uses your computers admistrator access to dig itself deep into your computers software and hides iteslf. It will work in such a way that makes it very difficult for a conventional anti-virus program to detect it and even more difficult to remove. In a lot of cases the easiest way to remove a rootkit from your PC is to take your hard disk out and attach it to another PC. The other PC will not be infected with the rootkit and as none of the rootkits trickery is running so it can be identified and removed. In some cases removing the Rootkit using this method can damage Windows on the disk it was infecting, which will need to be re-installed or repaired. For the average user a Rootkit is something that needs to be looked at by a professional, or you could of course back up your emails, photos, documents etc and re-install Windows with the discs you got with your PC when you purchased it. Rootkits can infect your PCs in the same way viruses do. Many of them open a ‘backdoor’ to your computer. A backdoor on your PC allows somebody
with knowledge to gain access to your PC bypassing any security measures you have on your PC. This backdoor will be used to install more and more Malware onto your PC until it eventually becomes unuasable. Look at the next article Some simple advice to help you protect yourself on your PC and if you follow thes guidelines you will reduce the chances of getting one of these dramatically.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge. Spyware is a type of malware installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect. While the term spyware suggests software that monitors a user’s computing, the functions of spyware can extend beyond simple monitoring. Spyware can collect almost any type of data, including personal information like Internet surfing habits, user logins, and bank or credit account information. Spyware can also interfere with user control of a computer by installing additional software or redirecting Web browsers. Some spyware can change computer settings, which can result in slow Internet connection speeds, un-authorized changes in Internet browser settings, or changes to software settings.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of Malware that infects your PC and prevents you from using it. Often they will inform you that more hard disk is failing, you have viruses or there’s even one that tells you the police are on to you beacuse of pirated software or child pornography. In all of these cases they will prevent you from using your PC and ask you for money to remove allow you to continue. Needless to say you should not pay them. You will probably need to seek help to remove them as they use some of the same clever tricks that are used by Rootkits that make them difficult for Anti-virus software to remove them.
Adware
Adware is more of an annoyance than a problem. Adware is the term given to programs designed to advertise products and services to you on your PC using pop-up windows. Typically you’ll get Adware on your PC when you install free games or other software. The author of the software is getting their income from the Adware as each time somebody buys from one of these advertisments they will get commission. Many of these programs will tell you that they will include Adware
when you install them. Some even give you the opportunity install without the Adware. If Adware is unacceptable to you then be careful where you download free
software from. There are two software sharing websites I use that check all the products they offer are free of Adware and Viruses.www.download.com and www.tucows.com .