Spyware Is Not the Only Malware Threat to Your Home Computer

Given the enormous amount of press and industry attention to " " Spyware is easy to forget that there are other types of malicious software or malware " " out there. Viruses, worms and trojans are still being developed to steal personal data or damage your computer. These malicious programs can be hidden in email attachments or files that are downloaded off the internet.
Most computer users are familiar with the term " viruses. " A virus is usually hidden within another program or executable file. A virus can be relatively harmless, for example, displaying a message or image at a preset time. Other variants however can be incredibly destructive including erase data from hard disk, corrupt programs or steal sensitive information such as passwords or financial data.
One of limitations with a virus is that it can not spread itself automatically. Unfortunately a " Worm " can, and it exists to replicate itself. This is a self-contained program that is usually embedded in an email attachment as a Microsoft Word document. Variants better known as the " ILOVEYOU " Worm in 2000 are distributed using the e-mail address book on the infected user& 39;s computer. He himself emails to contacts in the list of addresses of the user, without knowledge.
A Worm can cause damage to computer and network use your computer. A Worm infection consumes width of banda, since it sends itself. For example, a generalized infection can dramatically slow or completely overloaded corporate network. It may even slow the speed of the Internet itself!
A Worm can also play a dangerous program. The most common type is a program of " backdoor " hidden since access to your computer to the creator of the virus. Your computer then becomes a " Zombie " used to send spam e-mail or other viruses. A Trojan masquerades as a legitimate program or file. For example, you may think you are a download MP3 music files, but when the file is loaded a virus is installed on your system. Once installed on the user& 39;s computer that may have the same impact as a Virus.
Here are some common symptoms of infection by any of the types of malware are: - Unexplained crashes - Strange programme of error messages - computer crashes - Poor performance computer - Angry emails from people you have " spam " or unconsciously sent a virus (signal that your computer is a possible " Zombie ").
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent infection: - Make sure you& 39;re getting the latest updates of Windows XP. It is highly recommended that you get these updates automatically. -- Have a good firewall installed - ideally you want an application that filters both " " inbound and outbound " " Internet traffic. -- Delete and do not open any e-mail with an attachment from someone you do not know. -- Install an anti virus program and keep the virus definitions up to date. Undertake a virus scan least once a week. Scan e-mail attachments always, if you are planning to open them. -- Use a spam filter to stop dangerous receiving e-mail to your computer in the first place.
About Richard Rogers is an owner of a series of computer related sites. One of their site offers Free Computer Help for Windows XP users and has just launched its new Registry Cleaner Blog.



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