Malware can be defined as any software purposefully developed to destroy a computer system, application, server, computer network, customer, or user. A wide array of malware types now exist, such as worms, Trojans, malware-enabled programs, malware blockers, and spam bots. These programs range from simple keyloggers to sophisticated hacker attack tool. The most insidious type of malware is the malware that can corrupt, damage, and render an infected computer useless.
Malware can spread in two different ways: through email and through a download.
When viruses or worms are downloaded to a user’s computer, he or she has to trust that the downloaded files will not spread unexpectedly. Although this may seem difficult, many people download files they know nothing about, only to have them inadvertently spread through email attachments and chat conversations.
In general, when a person or website becomes infected by Malware it is because the Malware authors made their software infectious. This means that when a file is opened on the infected computer without first downloading it, the Malware authors have made their software vulnerable to malicious programmers. Once this happens, anyone with the correct tools and knowledge of how to correctly remove the Malware can exploit the infected file. Malware infections also spread through various forms of communication, including e-mail, FTP, and network traffic.
While there are several ways to detect if your computer has become infected with Malware – whether it was installed directly or came from a download – there are no guarantees to make sure you are truly infected. Unfortunately, it can be nearly impossible to detect all current versions of every Malware program. There are only a few exceptions: Spyware detectors, which are designed to detect and clean spyware from computers on a regular basis; and adware and spyware blockers, which work to detect, block, and remove malicious software. Unfortunately, these two categories include so many variations of each that it would be next to impossible to ever have a complete list of Malware threats. Fortunately, there are still a few simple ways that you can use to help detect whether your computer is infected with Malware.
The most direct way to tell if your computer has become infected with Malware is if you notice a sudden increase in the amount of popups and advertisements. Malware typically includes advertisements in its more advanced forms. If you see more advertisements than usual, and it is a noticeable rate, you may have Malware on your PC. Another way to tell if your PC might be infected is if you experience slower performance than normal, or notice that your web browser takes longer to open pages.
One of the more common types of Malware that tends to come up on the Internet is spyware and Adware. While they do not typically include the Malware threat, they do fall under the same category as Trojans, viruses, and worms. In general, spyware is used by someone who wants to monitor your personal information, such as banking details and credit card details. Some forms of adware are used by sites to show you banners and links, and in some cases, they can even steal your personal information for illegal purposes. Common types of cyber malware include keyloggers, which record every key you enter within the computer, and track websites you click on.
One of the most destructive forms of malware are viruses and worms.
Unlike Malware, viruses actively harm your computer by changing settings, deleting files, and generally causing a great deal of chaos. Common types of viruses include worms, Trojan Horses, and others. Usually, these are much more difficult to detect because they are spread through network activity, files, and emails.
One of the most commonly infected applications in internet Explorer is the Safari browser. Safari malware is almost always bundled with other malicious codes, making it much more difficult to detect and remove. The most common types of malware distributed through Safari include the My Macbook Malware and the “MacAfee VirusScan”.
- Both these infections infect the device and perform the various tasks the infected software would do.
- Some malware can affect more than one device, allowing remote users access to your infected devices from anywhere in the world.
- Other malware specifically targets the iOS platform and can only be installed through the iTunes application.
