Malware Review and Information - List of Malware Types
To do a proper malware review we must consider the fact that the term "malware" really encompasses all the types of computer threats on the internet today. Most people refer to their computer issues as "having a virus" when in fact a virus is just one threat on the list of malware types. What we'll do below is provide some general malware information and include an option to read more in-depth for each specific malware type. You'll quickly see that the different versions of malware sometimes overlap each other and exhibit similar properties.
Malware review - List of malware types
Computer Virus - There are two main ways computer viruses can spread: internally and externally. When a virus infects a file or piece of software on your computer, it may be programmed to spread to other files and pieces of software on your computer when you execute the infected file. A virus can spread externally if you attach an infected file to an email or post an infected file on a web page. The effects of
Malware review - List of malware types
Computer Virus - There are two main ways computer viruses can spread: internally and externally. When a virus infects a file or piece of software on your computer, it may be programmed to spread to other files and pieces of software on your computer when you execute the infected file. A virus can spread externally if you attach an infected file to an email or post an infected file on a web page. The effects of
computer virus malware can be damaging or annoying or both. For example, viruses can be programmed to cause pop-up windows or they can be programmed to completely take over your hard drive and shut down your computer. For an overview of the types of computer viruses check out our Computer Virus Types article.
Computer Worm - While virus malware can only spread when a computer user executes or passes along an infected file, a computer worm spreads automatically through security holes in networks. In that sense computer worms are a much bigger malware threat and more difficult to contain than the standard virus. The possibilities of a computer worm are far-reaching. For example a worm could carry a trojan horse file, be programmed to access your email, and then send the email with the trojan horse file attached to everyone in your address book. That can all happen automatically. Computer worms can work completely behind the scenes too by simply going from network to network searching for access to computers without the proper firewall and malware detection software in place.
Trojan Horse - The difference between a trojan horse and a computer worm or virus is that a trojan does not replicate. Trojan horses are designed to steal your personal information and send it to a hacker without you knowing about it, or a trojan can be designed to destroy your files or completely bog down your computer by continuously downloading more malicious code. A trojan dropper is often used as a primer or as an undetectable malware file that can be utilized at any time by a hacker to download the actual trojan, worm, virus, or other malware types onto your computer. A trojan downloader simply downloads other malware types onto your computer in a continuous fashion until you find and delete the downloader or your computer crashes. Worms and viruses often carry trojan horses with them, so while trojans do not replicate on their own they certainly can find their way onto any computer that does not have the proper internet security installed and updated.
Spyware - Your web browsing habits and even your personal information can be tracked and passed along to advertisers or criminals. Spyware effects can range from unwanted ads popping up on your computer to your personal information being sold by a criminal and eventually used for identity theft or unauthorized credit card use.
Adware - While spyware tracks your web browsing habits, adware is the malware that delivers the resulting unwanted advertisements on your computer. Spyware and adware are often bundled together so they can work in tandem or adware can be unknowingly installed as a stand-alone malware file that will generate banner or pop-up advertising when triggered.
Rootkit - To trick your computer and the internet security software you have installed to think that everything is running normal, a hacker will often utilize a rootkit malware file which will either modify your Windows registry or act as a front for the actual trojan, worm, or spyware that is intended to monitor your habits or steal your passwords or personal information.
Backdoor - To allow a hacker future access to a computer a backdoor or several backdoors will be installed so that if the resulting trojan or spyware gets deleted, the hacker can re-access the computer and replace the deleted malware at their convenience. Backdoors can be carried by worms, viruses, or trojans.
Keylogger - Your keyboard strokes can be copied and sent to a hacker via a keylogger which is basically a password stealer and personal information stealer. Viruses, computer worms, trojan horses, and spyware can all carry keylogger malware with it leading to eventual unauthorized access to your credit card and internet accounts.
This malware review gave you general information about the malware types threatening computer systems today. For more specific malware information simply follow the links provided within the list of malware types above.
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Computer Worm - While virus malware can only spread when a computer user executes or passes along an infected file, a computer worm spreads automatically through security holes in networks. In that sense computer worms are a much bigger malware threat and more difficult to contain than the standard virus. The possibilities of a computer worm are far-reaching. For example a worm could carry a trojan horse file, be programmed to access your email, and then send the email with the trojan horse file attached to everyone in your address book. That can all happen automatically. Computer worms can work completely behind the scenes too by simply going from network to network searching for access to computers without the proper firewall and malware detection software in place.
Trojan Horse - The difference between a trojan horse and a computer worm or virus is that a trojan does not replicate. Trojan horses are designed to steal your personal information and send it to a hacker without you knowing about it, or a trojan can be designed to destroy your files or completely bog down your computer by continuously downloading more malicious code. A trojan dropper is often used as a primer or as an undetectable malware file that can be utilized at any time by a hacker to download the actual trojan, worm, virus, or other malware types onto your computer. A trojan downloader simply downloads other malware types onto your computer in a continuous fashion until you find and delete the downloader or your computer crashes. Worms and viruses often carry trojan horses with them, so while trojans do not replicate on their own they certainly can find their way onto any computer that does not have the proper internet security installed and updated.
Spyware - Your web browsing habits and even your personal information can be tracked and passed along to advertisers or criminals. Spyware effects can range from unwanted ads popping up on your computer to your personal information being sold by a criminal and eventually used for identity theft or unauthorized credit card use.
Adware - While spyware tracks your web browsing habits, adware is the malware that delivers the resulting unwanted advertisements on your computer. Spyware and adware are often bundled together so they can work in tandem or adware can be unknowingly installed as a stand-alone malware file that will generate banner or pop-up advertising when triggered.
Rootkit - To trick your computer and the internet security software you have installed to think that everything is running normal, a hacker will often utilize a rootkit malware file which will either modify your Windows registry or act as a front for the actual trojan, worm, or spyware that is intended to monitor your habits or steal your passwords or personal information.
Backdoor - To allow a hacker future access to a computer a backdoor or several backdoors will be installed so that if the resulting trojan or spyware gets deleted, the hacker can re-access the computer and replace the deleted malware at their convenience. Backdoors can be carried by worms, viruses, or trojans.
Keylogger - Your keyboard strokes can be copied and sent to a hacker via a keylogger which is basically a password stealer and personal information stealer. Viruses, computer worms, trojan horses, and spyware can all carry keylogger malware with it leading to eventual unauthorized access to your credit card and internet accounts.
This malware review gave you general information about the malware types threatening computer systems today. For more specific malware information simply follow the links provided within the list of malware types above.
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