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| − | <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. | + | <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. |
| − | 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. | + | '''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. | ||
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