Malware

Malware

1. virus

   • This is a piece of code that is designed to replicate itself throughout the computer or network. A virus will often be designed to delete or corrupt data.

2. worm

   • This behaves just like a virus, but does not necessarily harm files. Instead, it tries to copy itself so many times that the whole system runs out of resources and crashes.

3. Trojan

   • A trojan appears to be a harmless application - a downloaded game for example. You play the game, but meanwhile it is running in the background carrying out its real intent - maybe letting someone else access to your computer.

4. Adware

   • This malware can force your browser to display unwanted pop-up advertisements.It can also take over your browser home page and direct you somewhere else every time you open up your browser (e.g. a porn page)

5. Click Fraud

   • Click fraud malware aims to use your computer resources to open certain web sites and send a mouse click to the adverts. Every click makes them money. You are not aware of this of course, as the activity is hidden in the background.

6. Pharming

   • When you want to visit a website, you type a web address into your browser. Pharming malware will infect your browser, redirecting you to an identical looking, but fake website.When you enter details such as your user name and password or credit card number the fake website will be recording the information.

7. Spyware

   • Spyware stays hidden out of view and is designed to spy on your computer, looking for personal information, passwords and so on.It does this by using a key logger to record every key pressed on the keyboard. It might also take screen shots. This information is then sent secretly over the internet to the criminals.

8. Ransomware

   • Ransomware encrypts critical files and data, making them unusable. Eventually it presents the user with a ransom, demanding money be sent to the attackers to unlock the system.

9. Scareware

   • Scareware will cause a pop-up to appear on your screen which will say something like 'Your computer has a virus. To clear the problem please purchase this software', and a link is provided in the pop-up.

10. Rootkits

    • Rootkits give other people permissions and access to your computer, allowing them to take it over remotely and do whatever they like.