by Lynn Chua

Created on: July 13, 2009

If you using the Internet you are most likely to have some form of malware which is already working on your PC. As computer viruses is everywhere these days, and one of these viruses called the Malware in its many forms poses one of one of the biggest threats to computer users on the Internet today.

What is Malware?

Malware is short descriptions of "malicious" software a term used to broadly classify a form of software which is installed in a computer system mostly without the owner's permission with malicious intentions as it is often packaged with other software that the user does in fact choose to install and make the system do something that the hacker wants it to do. Malware is a software program that is designed to either do harm to a computer, operating system or hardware, or to steal confidential information stored or being worked on a computer. These programs harm the computer running it, or the user of that computer.

Malware includes things like Spyware, Trojans, Adware, rootkits, dialers, Keyloggers, denial of service attacks, botnets, Crimeware, Badware, viruses worms and any other types of unwanted or potentially unwanted software. It can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, serve up nasty pop-up ads, track what web sites you visit or offline PC activity, may save or transmit those findings to others and generally screw things up.

Most of the times Malware programs are usually poorly-programmed and can cause your computer to become very slow and unstable. It is because Malware can be written for any malicious purpose. Malware is usually not only written and installed strictly for financial gain or espionage, they can also be written for any malicious purpose. In addition to financial gain or espionage, the creator of Malware may be motivated by revenge, anger, notoriety. The creator might only want to see how widespread the infection could become, with little concern about the damage it could cause.

How do I get infected?

Malware transmit by downloading freeware and shareware or swapping files. Like Music files, free toolbars, pictures, screen savers and other applications. Malware is also delivered via spam, your computer get infected when you open a malicious message or attachment.

They could automatically launch themselves the moment you open an attachment via emails.

Malware can be installed from simply visiting an infected website.

Malware are installed from sites purporting as software

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