Viruses:
If you’re talking about a computer virus, then that kind of virus is “a small software program that spreads from one computer to another computer.” The virus infects the computer and keeps it from operating properly. Viruses can be very damaging to the computer and cause huge frustration and annoyance. Sometimes the viruses delete everything on the hard disk or use an e-mail program to spread it. You can get these kind of viruses in e-mail attachments or in instant messaging. The attachments can be disguised as funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files. Not only are they spread through attachments and instant messaging but they are also spread by downloading information to the internet. You can stop viruses by using the anti virus software. This software detects and delete viruses before it does any damage to the computer. To be safe from viruses you can set your anti virus software at a very high level of security. This will anything coming into your computer from questionable or high risk sources.
- “Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery,” http://support.microsoft.com/kb/129972.
Trojan Horse:
A trojan horse is a type of virus that is very difficult to remove. This type of virus is difficult to detect because it looks like it’s in a proper application. The virus hides in other programs. Once you download a program that has this virus the virus will infect your computer and do some damaging to files. The virus can steal very important information from the computer and it will be sent to the creator of the virus. The creator will use the information to take control over the infected computer. A good way to prevent these viruses from infecting your computer is to “never open e-mail attachments or files” that are sent from unknown senders. You could download an anti virus program.
- “What is a Trojan Horse Virus?,” http://www.tech-faq.com/trojan-horse-virus.shtml.
Worms:
A worm is different than a virus. A virus requires a host program to run, but a worm runs without a host program. Although some modern worms hide inside files. Worms reproduce and spread through network connections. There are a couple of different types of computer worms: e-mail worms, instant messaging worms, internet worms, IRC worms, and file-sharing network worms. instant messaging worms are spread “by sending links to infected websites” to all contacts on your list. Internet worms will “scan all available network resources using local operating system services and/or scan the internet for vulnerable machines.” IRC worms are spread in a same way as the instant messaging worms. They are spread by “sending infected files or links to infected websites.” File-sharing network worms “copies itself into a shared folder. The worm will place a copy of itself in a shared folder under a harmless name, then the folder is ready to be downloaded. Worms can be prevented by keeping an up to date protection program on the computer. You also should not open e-mail attachments or files that are sent from unknown senders.
- “What is a Computer Worm?,” http://www.tech-faq.com/computer-worm-virus.shtml.
- “Computer Worms information.,” http://www.virusall.com/worms.shtml.
Phishing:
Phishing scams is a very large problem on the internet. “Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your valuable personal data.” People have given up their passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, ATM pin numbers, social security numbers, and a bunch of others. You don’t actually get phishing but but you fall for the trick by giving out personal identification information to someone who pretends to be something they are not. To not fall for the trick you can always look at the web address. Even if the hacker uses an official name the web address will always be slightly incorrect. To be safe you should always check the web address carefully. When you are asked for identification numbers you should always check the web address carefully to verify that is it a correct address.
- “Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails,” http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishing.mspx?ifs=0.
- “What are Phishing Scams?,” http://www.tech-faq.com/phishing-scams.shtml.
