Is you computer running much slower than it normally does? Are you getting a lot of pesky pop-up advertisements? Are files missing or are you seeing new files on your computer? Find you have a new homepage? If so, you may have some unwanted programs running on your computer. You may be the victim of malware.
To put it simply, the word malware comes from the abbreviated term to describe “malicious software.” It is any software that is harmful to a computer user. Along with viruses, malware may be one of computer users’ biggest threats on the Internet. Malware includes spyware and adware programs which can be used to track your surfing habits and create those nasty pop-up advertisements, as well as hijacking your browser and installing unwanted toolbars.
Spyware
Programs classified as spyware send information about you and your computer to somebody else. Some spyware simply relays the addresses of sites you visit or terms you search for to a server somewhere. Others may send back information you type into forms in Internet Explorer (or other web browser) or the names of files you download. Still others search your hard drive and report back what programs you have installed, contents of your email client’s address book (usually to be sold to spammers), or any other information about or on your computer — things such as your name, browser history, login names and passwords, credit card numbers, and your phone number and address. The latter is often done by way of software that is known to log your keystrokes.
Adware
Adware is the class of programs that place advertisements on your screen. These may be in the form of pop-ups, pop-unders, advertisements embedded in programs, advertisements placed on top of ads in web sites, or any other way the authors can think of showing you an ad. The pop-ups generally will not be stopped by pop-up stoppers, and often are not dependent on your having Internet Explorer open. They may show up when you are playing a game, writing a document, listening to music, or anything else. Should you be surfing, the advertisements will often be related to the web page you are viewing.
Hijackers
Hijackers take control of various parts of your web browser, including your home page, search pages, and search bar. They may also redirect you to certain sites should you mistype an address or prevent you from going to a website they would rather you not, such as sites that combat malware. Some will even redirect you to their own search engine when you attempt a search. It should be known: Hijackers almost exclusively target Internet Explorer.
Toolbars
Toolbars plug into Internet Explorer and provide additional functionality such as search forms or pop-up blockers. The Google and Yahoo! toolbars are probably the most common legitimate examples, and malware toolbars often attempt to emulate their functionality and look. Malware toolbars almost always include characteristics of the other malware categories, which is usually what gets it classified as malware. Any toolbar that is installed through underhanded means falls into the category of malware.
More to Come
It’s unfortunate but it’s usually very easy to become infected with malware, but extremely difficult to remove. In coming articles, we’re going to be explaining malware detection, removal, and prevention. To get the goods as soon as they come out, please be sure to subscribe to our syndication feed.
Check out the second and third installments.