Malware

What is Malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. The term “computer virus” is sometimes used as a catchall phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

Malware can be brought to a computer in many ways, but the most common ways are through email and webpages. Email from strangers with attachments or clickable links can install malware, or simply surfing the web to a page that hosts malware can cause this problem.

Types of Malware

• Virus: A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the user. It can go from computer to computer, or it can come from a website. There is no useful purpose for a virus, it is meant to put malicious software on your computer.
• Spyware: Spyware is a type of virus that is usually not harmful to your computer. Most of the time it tracks the websites where you’ve been going along with the passwords you use at those sites and can popup advertisements. They also slow your computer dramatically and can act like an antivirus program.
• Trojans: Trojans in computing is any malicious computer program which misrepresents itself as useful, routine, or interesting in order to persuade a victim to install it. Many times, illegal copies of software will contain Trojans. Trojans are also spread by some form of social engineering, for example where a user is duped into executing an email attachment disguised to be unsuspicious, (e.g., a routine form to be filled in). Unlike computer viruses and worms, Trojans generally do not attempt to inject themselves into other files or otherwise propagate themselves.

How to prevent Malware on your computer:

• Keep your computer up to date by applying software updates (patches) as soon as possible.
• Don’t rely solely on antivirus to protect your computer. Install and configure a quality software security suite, and keep it updated. Be sure that the product contains multiple protection methods, including antivirus, anti-spyware, and web protection. Don’t ignore warnings from security software. Take the recommended actions (if offered).
• Only install reputable, legal versions of software on your computer.
• Don’t change computer or Internet browser settings to values that weaken security.

If your computer is infected with malware:

• Stop using that computer for banking online or for online shopping.
• On an unaffected computer change your passwords (especially the passwords to your financial institution).
• Obtain professional help from a reputable business who has experience in computer support and specializes in malware identification and removal.
• For serious malware infections, consider wiping the computer and reloading it from original install disks. This method will remove data and programs from the computer, so only do this you have backed up your personal data. This is the most reliable way of removing complex malware threats.

To learn more about malware, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website Onguardonline.gov.