Malware

Malware

1. Virus

   • This is a piece of code that is designed to replicate itself throughout the computer or network. For example it will add itself to a file on your computer and, every time the file is opened, the virus runs and once more seeks out other files to infect.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Adware

   • This malware can force your browser to display unwanted pop-up advertisements. It can cause pages that you didn't request to open up taking you to unwanted web sites.

5. 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. It does this by telling your browser to look for a different IP address to the genuine site to that of the fake website thus redirecting you to the phoney site.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Rootkits

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

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. In reality, you do not actually have a virus.

10. 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.