Malware - what it is, and what it is not

Malware is a general term for malicious(mal) software(ware), more commonly referred to as "viruses". The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to encompass all types of malware, including true viruses. Some other examples include spyware, adaware, trojans, hijack programs, rootkits, backdoors, and worms.

Malware is not the same as defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs. Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. Many early infectious programs were written as experiments or pranks generally intended to be harmless or merely annoying rather than to cause serious damage to computers. Some young programmers created them for the sole purpose to see how far it could spread. As late as 1999, widespread viruses such as the Melissa virus appear to have been written chiefly as pranks.

Then came hostile intent relative to vandalism, ie programs designed to cause harm and/or data loss. The Windows ExploreZip worm was designed to destroy files on a hard disk or to corrupt the file system by writing invalid data. Network-borne worms such as the 2001 Code Red worm or the Ramen worm fall into the same category. Designed to vandalize web pages, these worms may seem like the online equivalent to graffiti tagging, with the author's alias or affinity group appearing everywhere the worm goes.

However, since the rise of widespread broadband Internet access, malicious software has come to be designed for a profit motive, either more or less legal (ie forced advertising) or criminal. Take for instance, spyware -- programs designed to monitor users' web browsing, display unsolicited advertisements, or redirect affiliate marketing revenues to the spyware creator. Since 2003, the majority of widespread viruses and worms have been designed to take control of users' computers for black-market exploitation. Infected "zombie computers" could be used to send email spam, to host contraband data, or to engage in distributed denial-of-service attacks as a form of extortion.

Also, malware of late has been geared toward data stealing. Data-stealing malware is a web threat that divests victims of personal and proprietary information with the intent of monetizing stolen data through direct use or underground distribution. Examples include keyloggers, screen scrapers, spyware, adware, backdoors, and bots.

Regardless of the intent of the program, malware is not something you want utilizing the resources of your PC. You're computer may be infected without showing any signs or symptoms. For more information about malware, removing malware, and keeping your PC clean for good, feel free to contact one of our technicians. Our contact information can be found on our Website(clickable link).