by Jeanesse Whyte

Created on: November 11, 2008   Last Updated: December 12, 2008

Today with the development of the internet and interconnection among computers, devices and software programs that operate in several operating systems, cyber criminals are increasing. Now, in the unlimited cyber space there are many kinds of harmful things, one of them is malicious software.

Malicious software, better known as malware is a software, file or piece of program code that is installed in a single computer, server or computer network without your knowledge with the intent to damage or disrupt, interfere with normal functions, collect information about you, gather information about your computer and send data intentionally to another person. There are many kinds of malware the common are virus, worm, Trojan horse and keyloggers.

Symptoms of Malware Attacks. A computer that is suffering for malware attacks can present one or more of these symptoms: It is slowly than normal. When you are navigating in the internet, every website you visit has the same advertisements or several pop-up windows open suddenly and interfere with your work. Also, it makes weird stuffs such as running software programs that were not installed for you or you cannot remove software that you have installed before. All these things make you feel like "dark forces" or "spirits" are taken control of your computer.

How your computer get infected? There are several ways that your computer may be infected with malware: First, introducing information using floppies, CD's, memory sticks, phone and so on. Second, they can download by the internet with software programs, emails, email attachments, websites, etc. Here, some examples that show how you can get your computer infected:

*When you install new software programs such as screen savers, internet optimisers, spyware detectors, toolbars, and so on. These websites motivate to install and use software and show that only has advantages when installing the software. But the "innocent victim," you do not know who is going to perform other functions malicious hidden.

*When you open pop-up windows that offer free things.

*You are what allowed. When you download a free version or a beta version of commercial software, sometimes the license agreement has a check box that can be read something like:

"Allow us to collect information about your browser or operating system on your computer, how you use your computer, etc. .. to improve our software ...." It is better to uncheck the box.

There are also social network sites in which some of the requirements

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