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| − | < | + | <seo title="What is malware" metakeywords="what is malware,anti malware,malware removal,malware virus,adware,spyware,Hijack,toolbar,dialer" metadescription="What is malware" /> |
| − | What is malware and how exactly it can get into your computer? Malware is an abbreviated term for a "malicious software" program - any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Many of the malware programs will reinstall themselves even after you think you have removed them, or get into the very depth of your computer, making it very difficult to clean them. In this article we'll try to define the general types of malware and some preventive steps. | + | <div align=justify>Along with viruses, hacking and phishing one of the biggest threats to computer users on the net today is '''malware'''. It can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, get annoying pop-ups, track the web sites you visit, steal your personal information, etc. |
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| + | '''What is malware''' and how exactly it can get into your computer? Malware is an abbreviated term for a '''''"malicious software"''''' program - any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Many of the malware programs will reinstall themselves even after you think you have removed them, or get into the very depth of your computer, making it very difficult to clean them. In this article we'll try to define the general types of malware and some preventive steps. | ||
There are several ways in which you can get infected by a malware virus. Malware often comes bundled with other programs. These malware programs can be installed from websites, pretending to be software needed to view the website or update the computer. Others may install themselves through security holes in a web browser, requiring you to do nothing but visit the wrong web page to get infected. | There are several ways in which you can get infected by a malware virus. Malware often comes bundled with other programs. These malware programs can be installed from websites, pretending to be software needed to view the website or update the computer. Others may install themselves through security holes in a web browser, requiring you to do nothing but visit the wrong web page to get infected. | ||
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Programs classified as spyware send your personal information to somebody else. Some spyware programs check the addresses of sites you visit or terms you search on the net. Others may send back information you type into forms in a browser or the filenames from your download history. Still others search your hard drive and report back what programs you have installed, contents of your e-mails, login and password, credit card number or any other information about or on your computer. | Programs classified as spyware send your personal information to somebody else. Some spyware programs check the addresses of sites you visit or terms you search on the net. Others may send back information you type into forms in a browser or the filenames from your download history. Still others search your hard drive and report back what programs you have installed, contents of your e-mails, login and password, credit card number or any other information about or on your computer. | ||
| − | <center>Hijackers</center> | + | <center>'''Hijackers'''</center> |
Hijackers can control various parts of your web browser (e.g. your home page, search pages, and search bar). They may redirect you to certain sites in case you mistype an address or even redirect you to their own search engine when you make a search. | Hijackers can control various parts of your web browser (e.g. your home page, search pages, and search bar). They may redirect you to certain sites in case you mistype an address or even redirect you to their own search engine when you make a search. | ||
| − | '''Note: the most exclusive | + | '''Note:''' the most exclusive target for hijackers is Internet Explorer. |
<center>'''Toolbars'''</center> | <center>'''Toolbars'''</center> | ||
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Dialers are the type of malware programs that set up your modem connection to connect to a 1-900 number. This results with a large phone bill with the user not even suspecting of anything wrong going on. | Dialers are the type of malware programs that set up your modem connection to connect to a 1-900 number. This results with a large phone bill with the user not even suspecting of anything wrong going on. | ||
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| − | 2. Make sure your system is ALWAYS up to date. | + | Here are some advises to '''protect yourself from malware'''. Also they may help you with malware removal: |
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| + | '''1'''. Make sure you have an Antivirus, Firewall and Anti malware scanner installed. | ||
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| + | '''2'''. Make sure your system is '''ALWAYS''' up to date. | ||
| − | 3. Do not visit suspicious sites. | + | '''3'''. Do not visit suspicious sites. |
| − | 4. Be careful with the files you download. | + | '''4'''. Be careful with the files you download. |
| − | 5. Scan the mail attachments you get. | + | '''5'''. Scan the mail attachments you get. |
| − | 6. Avoid clicking links within pop-ups or spam mails. | + | '''6'''. Avoid clicking links within pop-ups or spam mails. |
| − | 7. Do not install any plug-ins, codecs, etc. when watching video on-line. This particular plug-in may install software. </div> | + | '''7'''. Do not install any plug-ins, codecs, etc. when watching video on-line. This particular plug-in may install software. </div> |
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