MALWARE - A GENERAL CONCERN

Malware is generally defined as any malicious software that is specifically designed to damage or cause harm to your computer. Commonly, malware is added to downloadable files. Malware can be in pictures, videos, music, and even email, so be careful about what you download and always make sure it is from a safe, reliable source. Malware can even be in public websites that anyone can visit, and unexpectedly, receive a malware file. Stay away from dangerous sites that may be prone to such files, such as p@rn@graphic or obscene, chaotic websites. If an email looks suspicious (the email is from someone you don’t know or the subject is encrypted or misleading), don’t open it. There are a number of programs that allow you to scan emails for viruses before you open them. There are also programs that allow you to scan your computer frequently to check for harmful files that pose a threat to your computer.

Scanning your computer
Virus scanners scan your computer for known viruses from a databank of virus patterns it has stored in its files. The anti virus software then either attempts to clean the file, which is usually unlikely that it can, or deletes the file. The problem with many computers, though, is that when viruses corrupt important systems of your computer, you generally have to reformat the hard disk and install a fresh new copy of your operating system, but more on this later.

Free Anti Virus Software
The “best” anti virus software can cost up to $500, but the free software works just as good. The following is a list and short description of several free anti virus software packs.

AVG Anti Virus: Free Edition
Features

Automatic Update Option	Support is Not Free
Low Performance Impact	Resident Protection
Very Easy to Use	Virus Vault and Automatic Healing
Checks Email and Safe Stamps if No Virus Found	On-Demand Scanner
Can give false alarms on innocent files	Free
Uses Heuristics By Default	Easy-to-Use Interface
Good Detection Rates	Scheduled Tests
Weekly Updates	Website doesn’t offer much technical support

HandyBits
Features

Free	Multiple Scanners in One
Voice Mail and Voice Mail for Kids	All programs come in 10 languages
Permanent File Shredder	Integrated Zip & Go Program
Encrypting Program	Collection 2002 - All of these programs in one

Search and Destroy
Features

Free	Highly Configurable
Automatic Update	Built-In Tutorial
Adaptable	Proactive Support

Common Types of Malware

Trojan Horse - An apparently useful and innocent program containing additional hidden code which allows the unauthorized collection, exploitation, falsification, or destruction of data. Trojan horses are used to secretly collect personal information from your computer: Bank statements, credit card numbers, passwords, and even to simply record everything you do on the computer.

Worms - A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program. It uses a network to send copies of itself to other nodes (computer terminals on the network) and it may do so without any user intervention. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms almost always cause harm to the network, if only by consuming bandwidth, whereas viruses almost always corrupt or modify files on a targeted computer.

Virus – A virus is a program that infects a file or computer and can potentially cause harm or damage. The term “virus” is commonly used to refer to all types of malware, but it is technically not the same thing. When a virus enters a computer, it usually does so without alerting the computer user, so detection programs must be used to find and destroy them.

Reformatting the Hard Disk

1. Backup your files. You can upload them to your website or email address, put them on a CD, or put them on a USB drive.

2. Delete the partition. Hit F8 when the computer restarts and you’ll get a menu of choices. You can delete it from there.

3. Reinstall. Get the disc that you originally used to install your operating system onto your computer. Reinstall it now.