Posts Tagged ‘Panda Security’

What is Malware and How Can I Get Rid of it? Spyware, Adware, and Viruses Defined

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

by Robert J.

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Spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, worms, keyloggers, and rogue anti-spyware are terms that you may or may not have heard before, so it’s probably best to just explain each one, so that you can take steps to ensure that your PC is protected against them. All of these are “malware”, which is short for “malicious software.”

Spyware -

Just as the name implies, it is a program that is installed on a computer and “spies” on or monitors it. Spyware programs are a type of “malware” that collect information about the user of a computer without the user’s knowledge. The user is usually unaware that spyware is even present on their computer. Although the name suggests that spyware simply monitors a user’s PC activity, spyware can also install additional software, monitor sites visited, internet activity, change home pages, and result in slowed internet connection speeds.

Adware -

As you can see that the word “Ad” is in the word, adware is software that supports advertising activities. Adware is a type of software that presents a user with advertisements by automatically playing them, displaying them, or downloading them after a user has installed a software application containing adware.

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worm cartoon

Viruses -

A computer virus operates very similar to a virus that results in you calling into work sick with a cold. A computer virus is a computer program that infects a host, in this case, your computer, and duplicates itself and spreads throughout your computer. Viruses are different from spyware, adware, and others because they have the ability to duplicate themselves. A virus is only called a “virus” if it can be transferred from one computer to another in the form of an executable file or code. Once the virus is in your computer, it can spread itself to other computers by infecting other computers on your network, etc. A virus can cause major file corruption/modification and slow down your computer drastically.

Trojans -

Trojans are very similar to the story of the “Trojan Horse” that you may have heard or read about. Trojans are malicious software that infiltrates your PC, while appearing to accomplish something legitimate or useful. What they really do is allow unauthorized access to your computer to some hooligan. Once this hooligan has remote access to your computer, he or she can do just about anything that the user account that they are logged into is allowed to do. Some examples of things that trojans do that you don’t want them to are: steal passwords and credit card information, install malicious software, edit or delete your files, record your keystrokes, and even view your screen or crash your computer.

Worms -

A worm is like a virus in that it is a program that can duplicate itself and distribute itself to other computers on a network. Worms exploit security loopholes, consume large amounts of network bandwidth, and usually harm the network in some way. The worst part about worms is that they can allow backdoor access to your computer to some hooligan that would like to send spam email from your computer or engage in some other form of illegal activity.

Keyloggers -

Keyloggers are malicious software that secretly track and record your keystrokes on your keyboard so that some hooligan can steal your passwords and personal information without your knowledge.

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Rogue Anti-Spyware -

Rogue anti-spyware is malicious software that tricks users into purchasing “fake” software to remove malware, viruses, etc. This fake software does not remove malware and simply convinces the user that they should purchase the fake software to solve some PC emergency or detection of errors. Many rogue anti-spyware programs contain a Trojan-like component that infiltrates your PC.

How can I ensure that my PC doesn’t have any spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, worms, keyloggers, or rogue anti-spyware?
In order to identify and get rid of such threats to your PC, you need to install an anti-spyware program that is able to effectively detect and clean your system of such infections. There are several product options for detecting and cleaning your system of all the problems listed above, but it is very important that you select a quality program and keep it updated. Keeping your anti-malware program updated it is crucial to detecting and stopping all of the malicious software described above.


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Cyber Security Tips

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

by Talha Azeem

Nasties

In today’s digital age, cyber security is as important, if not more so, as actual security guarding a real piece of company property. However they may differ, they both have safeguard strategies that need to be implemented to the letter to be effective.

The following are some guidelines for use in cyber security:

Up-to-date anti-virus software
This is a given: all computers must have anti-virus software. The anti-virus software is specifically created and designed to protect your computer against known viruses.

There is one caveat, however. New viruses are created almost daily. There is a need, therefore, to update your anti-virus program on a regular basis to recognize these new variants of viruses.

Like flu shots, only that they are done more often, these regular updates can help stop these viruses. These regular updates are antidotes for these man-made vermin.

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Firewalls
Firewalls are virtual defensive fortifications to protect your computer from the outside world. They filter unauthorized data from elsewhere, mostly the Internet, while allowing authorized or ‘good’ data to enter your computer.

All types of firewalls are available in most computer stores, and some computer manufacturing companies bundle them together with their computers that you purchase.

Emails
The simplest rule is this: if you don’t know the person who is sending you an email, be very careful about opening the email and never open any file attached to it.

Sometimes, you may have a vague idea who the sender is, but you should still be careful.
Some tell-tale signs include unusual hyperlinks and/or urgent messages to open the attached file. Some of your friends may have been conned and unwittingly forwarded you a virus-laden email.

When in doubt, delete. Your friend will understand.

Passwords
Passwords were created to be your virtual key to computer data. Like real-life keys, passwords are only as good if they are difficult to ‘duplicate’ or guessed.

Some of the guidelines are: Don’t share your password, don’t use your same password in more than one place, and most importantly, create a password that is difficult to guess.
Here are some time-tested rules in password-making:

1.) Passwords should have a minimum of 8 characters, and should be as meaningless as possible.

2.) Use all kinds of types possible – lower case, upper case, numbers, symbols, special characters, etc.

3.) Change your passwords regularly, every three months, for example.

4.) Never give out your password to anybody.

Back-up Data
Experienced computer users know one primary rule: always back up your data. Small amounts of data can be stored on disks and on CDs if they are more than the disk can handle. For computers in a network, the usual backup is through the network data storage system. The overall idea is that if anything happens to your primary data, you can always retrieve them from somewhere.

File sharing

laptop-virus

Another big no-no for experienced computer users is sharing them with strangers. Your computer operating system may allow file sharing from other computers in your network or from the Internet. This is one sure way of infecting your computer. Be sure to turn off and disable file-sharing if it is not needed.

Disconnecting from the Internet
Cutting your computer’s connection with the Internet when not in use lessens the possibility of accessing it. If your computer has no firewall or updated anti-virus protection, someone could harm it.

Update security patches
Just like your anti-virus program, there is a need to regularly update your other computer programs. Sometimes, bugs are discovered in your regular programs that can be an entrance to your computer for any malicious person to attack and infect.

Software companies create patches for these and post them in their sites. They can be downloaded and are automatically patched up into your program in question.

Regular security checkups
Like a car’s multiple systems, a computer security programs need regular checkups, too. Sometimes, you may discover that a program is outdated through simple oversight. Some security settings have to be adjusted according to your present needs. Twice-a-year evaluation is good enough.

Security awareness
Like preparing for emergencies in real life, it is good policy to make sure that family members or probably your employees would know what to do during computer emergencies.

They must at least be aware of proper computer security practices – how to update virus protection programs, how to download patches, how to create proper passwords.

Cyber security, like any real security, needs everybody’s help for it to succeed and avert those dreaded computer attacks.


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