Malware 27/11/07

Malware
Malware is short for malicious software, a general term used to cover a wide range of programs that are purposely designed to attack, degrade or prevent the intended use of a computer.
Spyware is software which monitors what you are doing on your computer, eg: what web site you are visiting and reports this information back to someone. Key loggers are a particular type of spyware that record every keystroke you make.
Adware is software which displays unwanted adverts on your screen, often as popups.
Rogue diallers can take over a modem and cause it to dial-up expensive websites.
The following is a list of free anti-spyware programs that are very popular and useful. You can visit the home page for each product by clicking on the links.
Microsoft Windows Defender
Spybot Search & Destroy
AVG Anti-Spyware
Microsoft has announced that it will be building anti-spyware protection into future versions of Windows, but at the moment users of XP and 2000 can download Bit Defender free from the Microsoft website.
Once the anti-spyware has been installed it can be set to scan the system for spyware that can be deleted. There are generally two types of scan that can be carried out, a Quick Scan or a Deep Scan.
A Deep Scan should be performed immediately after installation to check all of your system. After that, regular Quick Scans and occasional Deep Scans, should be enough to keep persistent spyware out.
All good anti-spyware software allows for the regular updating of its spyware database. This is a vital component because of the growing number of different spyware programs created every day. Updates can be downloaded manually on a regular basis or automatically at a certain time (often during the night).