Adware

What exactly is Adware?

Adware is a software application that can show advertisements on your computer in the form of pop-ups, pop-unders, and banner ads. Usually they disrupt the user -- giving an option to either continue on the web or click the pop up. Certain Adwares have the ability to track down the surfing habits of any user, without prior knowledge or consent, thus being a threat to your own security since it is being sent to unauthorized parties.

How does it work?

Adware applications technically run in the background of the computer and function as a spy watching all your moves. The information gathered will then be logged and used to create a user profile that is relayed to advertisers. The user profile may include unrelated personal information too and then sent to a data collection site. It is extracted on to narrow online search results to match the profile or, as a data mining tool, to evaluate the surfing habits.

Adware attacks usually start by attaching it to an installed program like a freeware, software that is available for free. Freeware installers inadvertently sign up for unlimited pop-up ads supply.

Common examples of freeware that may include Adware are computer games, unusual mouse pointers, instant news or weather updates, applications boasting to improve efficiency of your computer, and even the smileys being used on e-mails.

What can you do?

You can block unwanted ads by installing a reputable Adware scanning and removal tool. Make sure that you update it with the latest version because new versions of Adware are cropping up in as short as a week’s time.

Mailware

What is Mailware?

Have you had enough of those unwanted pop-ups that are a source of endless annoyance while surfing the net? Even your mails are being bugged by those pop-ups from authors that are investing a wide range of targets for advertisements. They make big money but at a great price for you and your computer.

How it works?

Mailware generally dwells on your mailbox, as what the term suggests. It may come in the form of spam on your mail or even disguise through the popular chain letters. Once the Mailware has entered your mail server, it starts to generate information that can be easily traced by spammers or the creators of Mailware. When you respond to these Mailwares, the authors will have an automatic confirmation on your address and would continue on sending you spam and more spam. Mailwares are mainly characterized by usually strange unsolicited commercial e-mail and bulk e-mail. The targets are usually targets individual users with direct bulk email or from online services that provide bulk email.

A variation of this is sending spam to mailing lists, either public or private email discussion forums. Since several mailing lists draws line to their subscribers’ activity, spammers will take advantage of automated tools to subscribe to as many mailing lists as possible. Thus, they are able to get the lists of addresses, or use the mailing list as a direct target.

Spyware

What is Spyware?

Spyware is a software that attacks the user’s internet connection at the background without the user’s knowledge. Spyware can do a lot of things that you wouldn’t generally want to happen, such as: capture all the information that you enter through the web; add unknown sites to your internet favorites or to your desktop (as icons); hijack your default settings and homepage, monitor your browsing activity, and; append unwanted and disrupting search bars and toolbars to your browser. Your privacy will be compromised because Spyware makes it possible for someone to sell any of your personal information that you entered on your PC, and with all of these occurring either in combinations, your hard drives become stuffed. Thus the PC slows down.

How does it attack the computer?

Spyware can enter your computer in different ways. It may be pop-ups or window ads, through an instant messenger service, attachment of spam through your e-mail, by sharing files, music and photos, or it can be installed by a hacker or someone who uses your computer. At times Spyware is bundled with a preferred program which is being unveiled in hidden text as a component of the end-user-license agreement (EULA).

Once the programs have entered your PC, they will find their way onto your system and install themselves in various potential dwellings like your registry, start up menu, folders and files.
Most Spyware programs ensure their survival by sprinkling traces of the program throughout your system to make full removal more difficult (and sometimes nearly impossible). Once installed, Spyware operates insidiously in the background.

The problem with Spyware has gone a long way. It can even invade your privacy like your bank account numbers, social security number and even passwords can’t get away with it.

What can you do?

There are some very good programs that can help you protect your computer from this threat. Install, run, and update them regularly to ensure your system’s protection.

Dialers

What is a dialer?

A dialer is a type of program that can alter the settings of a user’s dialup connection. Dialers can disconnect your computer from your local Internet provider and then reconnect you to other sites usually connected with expensive pornography, toll, or international phone number. A connection to international phone numbers happens instead of connection to local internet provider.

What does it do?

Dialers will generally grant you access to pornography by dialing a country like AFRICA from YOUR HOME PHONE. Once they are connected, charges as high as $5.99US per minute can occur. Now-a-days, most dialers will ASK YOU TO CONNECT, be sure to NEVER ACCEPT these charges. Unlike other viruses, it does not scout your files and other personal belongings on your computer but rather may rack up these significant long distance phone charges. Some dialers will turn off your PC speaker and dial these far off contries without you knowing!! So....

Be Aware

Any time you happen across a POP-UP AD or Program on your PC asking you to connect/dial a phone number to get access to porn, CLICK CANCEL or restart your PC!!. Also verify the number you use to access the internet, be sure it was the one provided by your ISP or Internet Service Provider. Another easy way to tell if you have become a victim is unexplainable tremendously high bills!!

Virus

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a set of computer codes that overwrites, replaces or attaches itself to some part of a program or operating system in order to make a copy (or copies) of itself. It comes with instructions that set off some task(s) that affect the infected computer. These may range from the comparatively harmless to really destructive. Some viruses display text or pictures, but other than that, they are relatively harmless. Others, reduce memory space, modify existing data, or use up CPU processing time. But the destructive ones may overwrite or destory all your files or even crash your hard disk!

How does a computer get a virus?

A virus can be introduced to a computer in various ways. It can be attached to any file or programs that you copy from floppy disks, or download from the Internet. While many viruses today spread through email, and they are released not only by opening the attachment but also by simply opening the email itself.

The virus can be activated the minute it is installed on your computer; but in many cases, it can remain inactive until you run or execute the program that contains it. You will not usually be aware of the presence of the virus, and may innocently spread the virus to others.

An ounce of prevention

A virus can do its dirty work on your personal computer or your network; but there have been many cases that a particular virus wreaks havoc on the entire world, severely compromising many corporate businesses and government functions. Thus, it is important to take the necessary precautions before it is already too late.

As the world gets connected with today’s intricate cyber world, viruses spread faster than ever. So when you notice that your computer is acting a bit weird or erratic, you should immediately scan for a virus.

Trojans

What is a Trojan?

A Trojan is a type of program that enables a hacker to intrude and make changes to your computer. It is a threat in disguise. Like the Trojan Horse popular in the Greek history, it appears safe (in the form of software program and e-mail attachment). But once opened, the Trojan may install itself on your computer and gain access without your consent.

Generally, the initial objective of a Trojan is to browse your hard drive to determine anything of worth such as credit card information, passwords, confidential documents, email addresses, confidential designs or pictures, or even calendar information regarding the user’s whereabouts. Once found to be a potential source, the intruder then gets inside and manages your files totally. The intruder can do the following: rename, create, delete, view and even transfer files to or from your computer.

Trojans will enable the intruder to open and close your CD-ROM drive, spam and gain control to your keyboard and cursor. Trojans can also use a program manager that will allow the intruder to install, execute, open or close any software programs. Indeed, it is big threat to security.

How does it affect your computer?

The business starts first by the user installing the Trojan itself. This is done by deceiving the user with a seemingly useful system enhancement or perhaps a free game containing Trojans. By installing a free game, for example, Trojan will be automatically installed too. Trojans can also come in common disguises such as files from unknown sources, e-mail attachment from unknown sources, and files from any online activity client like ICQ. Once contaminated by Trojan, any distant user will inevitably have free access. The dirty work then starts.
Other types of Trojans are: Remote Access Trojans, Mail Trojans, FTP Trojans, Telnet Trojans, Keylogger Trojans, Fake Trojans, and Form Trojans.

Protect your Computer from Trojans

Trojans can also be distributed as email attachments, or bundled with other software programs. You should always be wary of opening attachments and downloading programs from the Internet unless you are sure it is from a secure and trusted source. If possible, confirm with the sender.