(Computer)
Virus - This is a program that runs on your computer
and can replicate itself and it can infect your computer in various
ways without
your knowlegde of it.
Malware - This is short for malicious software and this covers all of
the bad things that we talk about here such as viruses, spyware, rootkits,
worms, trojans, etc. In other words, anything thing that's on your computer
that you didn't want there is malware.
Rootkit
- This is a nasty piece of malware that will try
to control your computer by installing itself with your computer's
operating
system. This makes them hard to remove because many of them can tell
when they're being scanner by some sort of anti-malware program and
can hide easily while the scanning process is being performed. These
can be hard to remove and may not ever get fully removed without
professional help or a full reformat of the hard drive in many cases.
Spyware - Spyware
is software that can range from tracking your internet-surfing habits
all the to taking over your computer without your consent. The
worst type usually has to be installed onto your computer, cleverly
disguised as an innocent program. The cookies that track your surfing
habits can
be placed onto your computer hard drive simply by visiting a website.
Cookies are, for the most part, harmless and can easily be deleted
in your browsers options. The worst type of spyware such as Trojans can
be extremely hard to remove and pose a hard time to the computer owner.
They may slow down a computer with pop-ups, browser-hijacking, and
even
change the settings on your computer in a way that may not allow you
to access the internet.
Trojan
(Horse) - This is a very nasty version of malware that
disguises itself as a program that you really want to use, but it infects
itself
on your computer doing what it wants instead. These programs have many
forms.
Some different types of infections are listed here:
You're probably mad after reading this if you have a trojan or even multilple
trojans on your computer, but know you're not alone and there is
hope. If none of the suggested anti-malware programs get rid of the trojan,
you may want to take it to a professional, or use my Tips and Tricks section
at your own risk. There is no guarantee with the Tips and Tricks section
and only advanced users should try. If you don't know what you're doing
you are putting your computer at risk so use your head.
Worm
- This program is like a virus because it can copy
itself, except it works by infecting a network instead of the just
the computer. This can cause every computer on the network to slow
down and infect their files. Yeah, they suck.
