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Malware
is an abbreviated term used to describe a "malicious software"
program. Malware
includes things like
spyware
or
adware
programs, such as tracking cookies, which are used to monitor
your
surfing
habits. It also includes more sinister items, such as keyloggers,
Trojan horses, worms, and viruses.
A
keylogger
is just what it sounds like. It is a program that logs every
keystroke you make and then sends that information, including
things like passwords, bank account numbers, and
credit
card numbers, to whomever is spying on you. A
Trojan
horse may damage your system, and it may also install
a "backdoor" through which to send your personal information to
another
computer.
These forms of malware
are commonly used for perpetrating identity theft.
A virus
or a worm replicates itself and may hijack your system. These
types of malware may
then be used to send out
spam
or to accomplish a variety of other unsavory activities, and you
may not even know it. Viruses usually attach to other programs,
while worms are self-contained. Both can cause severe damage by
eating up essential system resources, which may lead to your
computer freezing or crashing. Viruses and worms commonly use
shared files and items like
email
address books to spread to other computers.
Any
type of code or program that is used for monitoring and
collecting your personal information or disrupting or damaging
your computer, may be referred to as
malware. In fact,
malware can be any type
of malicious code, even if it has not yet been identified as a
worm, Trojan, etc. Good anti-virus programs can be configured to
scan email for any type of malicious or suspicious code, and
alert you to its presence, even if it is not currently
recognized malware.
Anti-virus programs are good protection when kept up to date.
However, they frequently miss certain types of
malware, such as
Trojans and spyware, so it is a good idea to run at least one
anti-adware
program in conjunction with anti-virus. Running two is even
better. Utilizing a firewall is also helpful. While it won't
keep malware out, it
can keep such programs from accessing the internet and
delivering your personal information to the intended target.
On the
bottom portion of our Support page you will find several links
to free antiviral, spyware and malware programs. Just click on
the Back To Support link at the top of this page.
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