Malware, a shortened combination of the words malicious and software,
is a catch-all term for any sort of software designed with malicious
intent. Malware is sometimes called badware and is often used
synonymously with many of the common types of malware, listed below.
In legal documents, malware is sometimes referred to as computer contamination, so if you ever see that, it's just a fancy way of saying malware.
Malicious
intent is often theft of your private information or the creation of a
backdoor to your computer giving someone access to it, its resources,
and its data, without your permission. However, software that does
anything that it didn't tell you it was going to do could be considered
malware.
Common Types of Malware
Though
some of these terms can be used to describe software with a legitimate,
non-malicious intent, malware is generally understood to exist in one
or more of the following forms:
- Viruses infect program files and/or personal files.
- Spyware collects personal information.
- A worm is malware that can replicate and spread itself across a network.
- A Trojan horse looks, and may even operate, as a legitimate program.
- Browser hijacker is malware that modifies your web browser.
- Rootkit grants administrative rights for malicious intent.
- Malvertising is malware that uses legitimate online advertising to spread malicious software.
There are other types of programs, or parts of programs, that could
be considered malicious due to the simple fact that they carry a
malicious agenda, but the ones listed above are so common that they get
their own categories.
Some types of adware, the term for
advertisement-supported software, are considered malware but usually
only when those advertisements are designed to trick users into
downloading other more malicious software.
Malware Infections
Malware
can infect a computer or other device in a number of ways. It usually
happens completely by accident, often by downloading software that has
malicious applications bundled with it.
Some malware can get on
your computer by taking advantage of security vulnerabilities in your
operating system and software programs. Outdated versions of browsers,
and often their add-ons or plugins as well, are easy targets.
But
most of the time malware is installed by users (that's you!)
overlooking what they're doing and rushing through program installations
that include malicious software. Many programs install malware-ridden
toolbars, download assistants, system and internet optimizers, bogus
antivirus software, and other tools by default unless you explicitly
tell them not to.
Another common source of malware is from
software downloads that seem at first to be safe—like a simple image,
video, or audio file—but in reality, is a harmful executable file that
installs the malicious program. This is common with torrents.
Removing Malware
Aside
from the most serious of malware infections, most are removable through
some simple steps, although some are tougher to remove than others. The
most common types of malware are actual programs like the legitimate
software you use every day.
Those programs can be uninstalled
like others from Control Panel, at least in Windows operating systems.
Another method is with a third-party program uninstaller.
Other
malware, however, is more complex to remove, like rogue registry keys
and individual files that can only be removed manually. These types of
malware infections are best removed with antimalware tools and similar
specialized programs. There are several, completely free, on-demand and
offline virus and malware scanners that can quickly, and often
painlessly, remove most types of malware.
Protecting Yourself From Malware
Obviously,
the smartest way to avoid malware is to take precautions to prevent the
malware from infecting your computer or device in the first place. The
most important way to prevent malware from reaching your computer is by
making sure you have an antivirus/antimalware program installed, and
that you have it configured to constantly scan for signs of malicious
activity in downloads and active files.
Additionally, you should
ensure that this program updates itself every day or as often as you
turn on the device. Having a secondary malware/virus scanner installed,
one from another company, has become a common best practice.
Beyond
software that automatically keeps an eye out for malware, the most
important thing you can do to protect your computer is to change your
behavior. One way is to avoid opening email and attachments sent through
any kind of messaging platform from people or organizations you don't
know or don't trust. Even if you do know the sender, make sure that
whatever is attached is something you were expecting or can follow up
about in another message. One clever way malware is spread is by
auto-mailing copies of itself to friends and family from an email
contact list.
Also, make sure you're updating your operating
system and application software whenever updates are available,
especially security updates.