Computer Viruses/Malware

Computer Viruses/Malware

1. Virus

   • Malware that can copy itself and is targeted at gaining and stealing your files
   • Very easy to avoid

2. Worm

   • Malware that self-replicates and sends itself to other computers in your network
   • Very easy to replicate & duplicate and very hard to remove

3. Trojan Horse

   • Software that pretends to be useful but is really malware. eg fake search engines, anti virus

4. Logic Bomb

   • Malware that is triggered as a response to something happening, eg launching an application, after a time has been reached "If Statement"

5. Time Bomb

   • Malware that executes at a specific time and/or date. Similarly, a Logic Bomb is malware that executes when specific criteria are met, such as when a file is opened.

6. Trapdoor

7. Rootkit

   • Disguises itself as normal files that “hide in plain sight” so your antivirus software overlooks them. The goal is usually to steal the identity information from your computer, often to gain control of a system. It’s difficult to detect and remove.

8. Backdoor

   • Opens a backdoor into your computer to provide a connection for other malware, viruses, spam, or hackers.
     • Put in by the programmer themselves either for malicious intent if anything were to happen or for testing purposes

9. Spyware

   • Malware that gathers information about you, usually to track your internet use and deliver pop-up ads. But can also be things such as keyloggers or even gaining access to your webcam
   • Very hard to detect and pickup on

10. Hoax Virus

    • Where a pop-up displaying that you have a virus an can usually get you to go to a web page.
    • Very easy to avoid

11. DoS/DDos

    • Denial of Service, where you send lots of packets of information to for example a web server and ultimately crash the network because it cannot handle the amount of traffic

12. Phishing/Spear Phishing

    • Fradulent emails offering opportunities too go the 2012 Olympics, just having to confirm personal info
    • Very easy to replicate & duplicate and it only takes one person to click