Innovative ways to fight against malware

Keep The Operating System Updated:

The first step in protecting your computer from any malicious there is to ensure that your operating system (OS) is up-to-date. This is essential if you are running a Microsoft Windows OS.

Antivirus:

Secondly, you need to have anti-virus software installed on your system and ensure you download updates frequently to ensure your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the capability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet, and you also need to run full disk scans periodically. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer.

Set up Automatic Scans:

Many of the top anti virus programs, as well as the best anti-spyware programs, now have settings that will let them automatically run during down times or in the middle of the night. Of course, your computer must be on for this to happen, but having daily scans run when nothing else is going on is a great way to prevent even the latest computer viruses from sticking around too long.

Never Open Email Attachments Without Scanning Them:

The most common way viruses are spread throughout the Internet is still via email. Some attachments, like pictures, now display in emails and don’t require an attachment to be manually opened, but other documents do. Make sure you use an email client that scans all email attachments before you are allowed to open them. This will help prevent computer viruses from getting a foothold on your machine.

Avoid suspicious websites:

A good virus protection program will alert you when you visit a website that attempts to install or run a program on your computer. Many less than reputable adult websites do this, so if you get a warning, don’t go back, you may end up with a bug you can’t get rid of.

Watch Your Downloads:

Part of the fun of the Internet is downloading music, movies and other items. However, since these downloads are so massive, it can be easy to sneak a virus along for the ride. Only download these files from trusted sites that you can count on, or, at the very least, scan them before you open them.

Know What To Look For:

Even if you are just a casual computer user, you should have an idea of how your machine operates, what normal pop up windows look like and what popular viruses are out there, that way, when your computer begins exhibiting tell tale signs, you’ll know. You can help prevent computer viruses by staying updated and educated.

Stay Away From Cracked Software:

It is so secret that you can download illegal, cracked versions of some programs online. As tempting as it may be, these files are almost always infested with advanced and difficult to detect bugs. Play it safe and get your software from the source.

Updates, Updates, Updates:

There is a reason why Windows has a feature called Critical Updates. There is an entire branch of Microsoft dedicated to staying one step ahead of the hackers out there so when they manage to fix a possible security loophole, you need to download the patch right away. Help Microsoft help you prevent computer viruses from causing too much trouble.

Use a Firewall:

You should also install a firewall. A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer. A firewall can be either hardware or software.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware

Other Security Threats - 2

Keylogger:

A Keylogger is a kind of Spyware. It is a computer program or piece of code that collects a record of all the keys you type on your keyboard. A person in a position to collect this data can possibly access your private affairs, such as your bank account or credit card details, your passwords and your private business or personal communications.

Phishing:

Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing Website:  A Website created by a hacker. It will look-a-like an original website (Such as Mail, Bank Website). When you enter your information in that website, it will send to the hacker.

Backdoor:

A Backdoor is a computer program or piece of code that could enable somebody to use your computer without your knowledge.  Some of the well known worms (e.g. Sobig and Mydoom) could install a backdoor on affected computers.

The term 'backdoor' really refers to the specific way in which this security breach works. Imagine a computer system where actions such as deleting files or installing software can only be performed by a user who has permission to do so – a user who had to log in, with a unique name. In that case the purpose of a backdoor is to secretly add a valid user with a password and permissions to do things like install and remove software, delete files, alter system settings and so on. This will be a 'hidden' user. I.e. you won't see the user name for this one at your login screen. By the way, all Unix type operating systems work in this way: they have a list of users who can perform actions on the computer only if they have been given permission.

A nasty reality of having a backdoor on your PC is that the open door might be used by anybody who finds it. In other words it's not like 'somebody stole the key to my door and can get in (until I change the lock)': it's more like 'somebody unlocked my door and now anybody can walk in'.

Zombie

A zombie is what your computer can become if you let malware in. Your computer has become a zombie if somebody else can use it for their own purposes without you knowing. Somebody could sneak some code onto your machine (with the code spreading as a virus or worm, for example) and then employ your machine to do things such as spread spam or attack other computers or networks.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware

Other Security Threats - 1

Adware:

Adware can possibly be quite harmless but sometimes it is there to spy.

Harmless Adware:Sometimes you are offered a free program to download on the understanding that the free version displays advertising. Often you can upgrade to the paid version and then you do not see advertising when you use the program.

But even relatively harmless adware is considered Malware if it offends our ideas of informed consent.
 For example, you are invited to download a handy toolbar for your browser: it is also a mechanism for serving advertising to your browser or desktop but this is not explained to you. So it seems that you are actually being tricked into installing something without being clearly informed about what it will do. More sneaky adware Adware can be also be delivered by stealth (e.g. by Trojan Horses or Viruses), install itself on your computer and feed you advertising without asking. Really bad adware can also be spyware.

Spyware:

'Spyware' refers to programs that run without asking and invade your privacy. Spyware can track the websites you visit, collecting and reporting the information to another party. This other party would usually be somebody very keen to send you more 'targeted' advertising that you did not ask for.

Very bad spyware is intent on identity theft, including attempts to discover personal information such as your credit card details and passwords. If there is adware or spyware on your PC you might find that it runs slowly or that you see a lot more 'pop-up' advertising when you use the internet. On the other hand, clever spyware can also hide, undetected, without causing these symptoms.

Real Rogues:

This is the kind of software that claims, for example, to be a spyware remover – but actually is spyware or adware .
Real Rogues like this are definitely malware.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware

Trojan Horse Explained

A destructive program.

A Trojan Horse is usually a computer program or software that appears harmless but carries malware. At first the Trojan Horse may appear to be harmless, maybe even useful, software. In fact once installed or running on your system, its damage is done. [Trojans are also known as Backdoors].

Computer users who receive a Trojan Horse innocently open the file as they are usually led to believe they are receiving a legitimate program or file from someone they know or trust. After a Trojan has been activated on your computer system the damage can vary. There are some Trojans that have been developed to be a nuisance and can do mischief like changing your desktop icons, others are designed to wipe you out by destroying your computer files, folders and programs. Backdoors to computers are also created by Trojans. This gives the malicious user complete admittance to your computer system. Malicious admittance allows attackers to obtain your personal and confidential data.

Trojan could not spread into other file, could not transmit itself into other computer but fools a user to download it to set into computer. Since Trojan has installed, it is incontrollable. There are many kinds of Trojans. People like to download free software or games or browser add-ons. However, sometimes the reason that the software is free is because it is a trojan horse. A trojan could carry a variety of malware: e.g. if a RAT – Remote Access Trojan – gets onto your machine it enables somebody to have access to your computer across the network (if you are connected to the internet you are 'on the network' in this sense.)

Differences Between Computer Virus And Computer Worm:

> Virus can replicate themselves.

   Trojan Horses Do not replicate themselves.

> Virus is a program to cause damage to computer.

   Trojan Horses is a program which is used to gain access to a computer.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware

Worm Explained

Computer worms are similar to virus files by design. Worms also spread from one computer to another, but unlike a virus, it has the capability to travel without any human action.

Worms spread during the transport of files or information on a computer or network system. It takes advantage of file or information transport features on your system, which is what allows it to travel unaided. Nobody needs to run an infected program: the worms spread without human action. The biggest danger with a worm is its capability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect.

Because of the worm’s ability to move across networks a further effect is that the worm eats away at the system memory of a PC - and wastes a network's bandwidth too. What eventually happens is that a computer user's system, along with internet servers and network servers, can be slowed down or even brought to a standstill.

Differences Between Computer Virus And Computer Worm:

> Virus Requires user interaction.

   Worms Do not require any user interaction.

> Virus Spreads slower than worms, because of the need for human interaction.

   Worms Spreads quickly, because there is no need for human interaction.

> Virus Are not the primary mechanism of attack of hackers. But

   Worms are hacker’s best friend.

> Virus Can be caught via the user of antivirus software.

   Worms Cannot be easily detected by antivirus software.

> Virus need a host file to move from system to system.

   Worms doesnt need a host file to move from system to system.

> Virus are actually designed to travel from file to file within a single computer.

   Worms on the other hand, are specifically designed to travel between computers.

This isn't to say that viruses can't travel between computers. Worms may not damage the individual computers, but they can definitely jam up a network. Fortunately, they afflict more network administrators than home users.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware

Pray For Japan

People of the world,
Really need to pray unceasingly,
For Japan as several earthquakes
continuously hit the country until today..!

Let Us Candle the light..

This another prayer for japan..
Dear god,
please let the Japanese
be strong like they are always be.
Please bless them and have mercy..!

Virus Explained

A Virus Is: A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. The term "virus" is commonly but erroneously (Incorrectly/ Wrongly) used to refer all types of malwares. You should be careful in the following points.

   > Virus, Trojan Horse and Worm are terms often used interchangeably.
      They are all Malware. But they are not the same.

   > Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses are all malicious programs that can
      cause damage to your computer, But there are differences among the three.

VIRUS does have a abbreviation. VIRUS stands for "Vital Information Resources Under Siege" based on the activity it performs and the vital data it destroys. it's not an abbreviation, it was adopted from the term virus.(Like flu virus).

All computer viruses are manmade. Viruses can also replicate themselves. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it actually cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. It is important to note that a virus cannot be spread without a human action (such as running an infected program). This means the virus can exist on your computer, waiting, but not infect your machine until you run or open the program. Because a virus is spread by human action people will unknowingly continue the spread of a computer virus by sharing infecting files or sending emails with viruses as attachments in the email.

A virus typically 'infects' another file. So, for example, you could download a free game from a website, and it could be infected with a virus. When you start your game, you are also letting the virus run. It is not safe to download just anything from any website (or peer-to-peer file-sharing system) without taking precautions.

Read Other Parts Of This Post :
Malware : Introduction, Virus, Worms, Trojan Horse
Other Security Threats : Part 1, Part 2, Innovative Ways To Fight Against Malware