Win32 Virus Removal

Posts Tagged ‘Infect’

Going online without any protection is the same with going to the battlefield without any weapon. Did you know that 90% of computer users in the U.S are infected by malware?

Malware are software that have malicious intent and can do lot of things. It can steal your username, password, take control of your PC, slow down your PC and many more.

Even big companies also use malware in their product. For example, Sony put a rootkit inside their CD to prevent piracy. Even though they are a big company, using malicious software inside their product is unacceptable.

There are few types of malware and below is the list for 7 types of malicious software and a brief description of each:

1. Spyware

As the name implies, spyware is software that will spy on everything you do, which websites you’re visiting, your browsing habit, installing additional software and changing your homepage. You can remove it by installing antispyware.

2. Adware

Few books have different opinions on adware, some categorized it as spyware but displays advertising, others put adware into their own category. Whatever the category is, adware is software that displays advertising and it can be installed legally inside your PC. The mass amount of pop-ups that you’re experiencing while surfing the internet can be caused by adware.

3. Rootkit

Rootkit is software that can hide it presence inside your PC. Even your antivirus will not be able to detect it. However, if you schedule your antivirus to scan before your Windows boot up, then you might be able to get a chance to remove it. Another way that you can try is to use the Rootkit Revealer by SysInternal.

4. Trojan Horse

Trojan Horse is software named after the famous Trojan Horse in the Greek Mythology. As the name implies, this malicious software will only do his job if you execute it and usually disguise itself as a folder to trick you.

5. Worm

A computer worm is software that can infect your PC and will turn your PC into a zombie computer. A zombie computer is a computer that can be controlled by the hackers and usually is used to execute the DDoS attack and for example, the Conficker Worm.

6. Virus

I think this is one of the most famous malicious software. A computer virus is software that can replicate itself in your system and will infect certain file types and making it useless. There are also viruses that infect .doc files or .swf files.

The term virus also used to describe other types of malware such as Trojan Horse and Computer Worms. Technically, it’s not the same.

7. Keylogger

Keylogger is software that records everything that you type including your username, password, credit card information and many more. Every time you use your keyboard, it will record everything and send it back to its creator.

As you can see, there are lots of online threats that can infect your PC and the only way we will be able to fight them is by gaining knowledge. Knowledge is power and it’s really true in terms of computer safety.

We have norton but these viruses keep recurring

We have all heard the term Trojan Horse, but what exactly is it? A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that masquerades as a harmless application. Unlike viruses, Trojan Horses do not replicate themselves, but they can be just as destructive. One of the most dangerous examples of a Trojan is a program that promises to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses into your computer.

The Trojan can be tricky. Who hasn?t been online and had an advertisement pop up claiming to be able to rid your computer of some nasty virus? Or, even more frightening, you receive an email that claims to be alerting you to a new virus that can threaten your computer. The sender promises to quickly eradicate, or protect, your computer from viruses if you simply download their ?free?, attached software into your computer. You may be skeptical but the software looks legitimate and the company sounds reputable. You proceed to take them up on their offer and download the software. In doing so, you have just potentially exposed yourself to a massive headache and your computer to a laundry list of ailments.

When a Trojan is activated, numerous things can happen. Some Trojans are more annoying than malicious. Some of the less annoying Trojans may choose to change your desktop settings or add silly desktop icons. The more serious Trojans can erase or overwrite data on your computer, corrupt files, spread other malware such as viruses, spy on the user of a computer and secretly report data like browsing habits to other people, log keystrokes to steal information such as passwords and credit card numbers, phish for bank account details (which can be used for criminal activities), and even install a backdoor into your computer system so that they can come and go as they please.

To increase your odds of not encountering a Trojan, follow these guidelines.

Remain diligent

Trojans can infect your computer through rogue websites, instant messaging, and emails with attachments. Do not download anything into your computer unless you are 100 percent sure of its sender or source.

Ensure that your operating system is always up-to-date. If you are running a Microsoft Windows operating system, this is essential.

Install reliable anti-virus software. It is also important that you download any updates frequently to catch all new Trojan Horses, viruses, and worms. Be sure that the anti-virus program that you choose can also scan e-mails and files downloaded through the internet.

Consider installing a firewall. A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer. A firewall is not going to eliminate your computer virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and reliable anti-virus software, it can provide additional security and protection for your computer.

Nothing can guarantee the security of your computer 100 percent. However, you can continue to improve your computer’s security and decrease the possibility of infection by consistently following these guidelines.

Conficker is the current leader in horrible malware floating around the Internet.