sladehk
le random
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2004
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- HSC
- 2006
Home Computer Security
Combating Virus, Spyware, & Spam on the Internet
Information on Threats
To understand computer threats, I will quickly go over the few web threats/ “baddies” out there. The main three types of threats are Virus, Worm, and Spyware. All three of these threats contain malicious codes to steal data or damage files on your computer. They may also steal your passwords (through keyloggers) and allow easy assess of your computer to hackers. This thread basically describes the threats and provides suggestions on how to prevent such things from happening. A general rule of having a clean system is to regularly use and update your security programs(including Windows), avoid pirated software, going to serialz/warez sites and do not open/ accept files/emails from peopel you do not trust.
Viruses
Viruses are programs that are often self replicating and causes some undesirable effects on your computer. It can corrupt programs, crash the operating systems, alter/ damages the boot sequence, destroy files and generally wrecks havoc in the system. They can also allow hackers to easily access your computer.
Worms
Worms contains malicious code that propagates through infected emails. They often alters the boot sequence and respawns itself each time the machine is booted. They can corrupt programs, sometimes the operating system itself, and worse still, steals your email account and randomly sends out infected emails to all those listed in your address book. A recent well known worm is the Blaster worm.
Spyware
Spyware refers to parasitic software that often hides itself as a helper object (toolbar, hotbar, Active X component, etc) or packaged with some P2P software(like Kazaa). It can steal and send out your private and even secured information to advertisers, data-mining firms, and tracks your online activity. Spyware typically also incorporates pop-ups and in-browser advertisement signals from servers. These are typical symptons of spyware. Data-miners and tracking cookies are a common parasite that jumps into the computer each time you go online.
Dealing with Viruses
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Dealing with Worms
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Dealing with Spyware
A common misunderstanding is that an anti-virus program will detect and kill all viruses and spywares. In reality, it may kill viruses, but it won't kill spywares at all. Technically spyware is not a virus, and hence anti-virus program will not kill it. To kill a spyware implant in your system, you need an anti-spyware program such as Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. They are free, so stop wasting your time and download the programs and disinfect your system right away.
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Ad-aware 6.0
Spybot S&D
Combating Virus, Spyware, & Spam on the Internet
Information on Threats
To understand computer threats, I will quickly go over the few web threats/ “baddies” out there. The main three types of threats are Virus, Worm, and Spyware. All three of these threats contain malicious codes to steal data or damage files on your computer. They may also steal your passwords (through keyloggers) and allow easy assess of your computer to hackers. This thread basically describes the threats and provides suggestions on how to prevent such things from happening. A general rule of having a clean system is to regularly use and update your security programs(including Windows), avoid pirated software, going to serialz/warez sites and do not open/ accept files/emails from peopel you do not trust.
Viruses
Viruses are programs that are often self replicating and causes some undesirable effects on your computer. It can corrupt programs, crash the operating systems, alter/ damages the boot sequence, destroy files and generally wrecks havoc in the system. They can also allow hackers to easily access your computer.
Worms
Worms contains malicious code that propagates through infected emails. They often alters the boot sequence and respawns itself each time the machine is booted. They can corrupt programs, sometimes the operating system itself, and worse still, steals your email account and randomly sends out infected emails to all those listed in your address book. A recent well known worm is the Blaster worm.
Spyware
Spyware refers to parasitic software that often hides itself as a helper object (toolbar, hotbar, Active X component, etc) or packaged with some P2P software(like Kazaa). It can steal and send out your private and even secured information to advertisers, data-mining firms, and tracks your online activity. Spyware typically also incorporates pop-ups and in-browser advertisement signals from servers. These are typical symptons of spyware. Data-miners and tracking cookies are a common parasite that jumps into the computer each time you go online.
Dealing with Viruses
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Dealing with Worms
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Dealing with Spyware
A common misunderstanding is that an anti-virus program will detect and kill all viruses and spywares. In reality, it may kill viruses, but it won't kill spywares at all. Technically spyware is not a virus, and hence anti-virus program will not kill it. To kill a spyware implant in your system, you need an anti-spyware program such as Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. They are free, so stop wasting your time and download the programs and disinfect your system right away.
Some of the software to deal with Spyware are:
Ad-aware 6.0
Spybot S&D
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