Viruses
Computer viruses are mysterious and grab our attention. On the one hand, viruses show us how vulnerable we are. A properly engineered virus can have an amazing effect on the worldwide Internet. On the other hand, they show how sophisticated and interconnected human beings have become.
For example, the thing making big news right now is the Mydoom worm, which experts estimate infected approximately a quarter-million computers in a single day (Times Online). Back in March 1999, the Melissa virus was so powerful that it forced Microsoft and a number of other very large companies to completely turn off their e-mail systems until the virus could be contained. The ILOVEYOU virus in 2000 had a similarly devastating effect. That's pretty impressive when you consider that the Melissa and ILOVEYOU viruses are incredibly simple.
Back to top
In this article, we will discuss viruses -- both "traditional" viruses and the newer e-mail viruses -- so that you can learn how they work and also understand how to protect yourself. Viruses in general are on the wane, but occasionally a person finds a new way to create one, and that's when they make the news.
What is Spyware and adware?
Spyware and adware chew up system resources and slows down your
computer. Spyware can change your browser settings, monitor your keystrokes,
scan files and attach cookies or small files , all of which can be sent back to
a far away island or to a place or individual that wants the information for stealing your identity or other reasons.
Back to top
What is Spam?
Unsolicited junk email - generally advertising for some product sent wide-scale to a mailing list or newsgroup. There are a number of ways you can find yourself on a spammer's email list, including signing up for newsletters that sell lists of their clients' email addresses, listing your email address on a web page or newsgroup, or even by choosing an email address that spammers may be able to guess.
Back to top
Worms
Worms are very similar to viruses in that they are computer programs that replicate functional copies of themselves (usually to other computer systems via network connections) and often, but not always, contain some functionality that will interfere with the normal use of a computer or a program.
The difference is that unlike viruses, worms exist as separate entities; they do not attach themselves to other files or programs. Because of their similarity to viruses, worms are often also referred to as viruses.
definitions, many people use the term "Trojan" to refer only to a non-replicating malicious program.
Back to top
