What Is Malware? Keyword Discovery
Get our FREE SEO Guide
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive useful SEO tips, tricks, strategies, free ebooks that are available only to our subscribers and get this amazing SEO guide for free!

Your email is safe and will NEVER be shared with any other parties. And of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Name:
Email:
SEO Elite - #1 SEO Software

Who Else Wants To Finally Get A #1 Google Ranking In As Little As 7 Days... And Drive A Minimum Of 789 Unique Visitors To Your Websites Per Day?

40 Ebay PLR Articles Pack

40 high quality Ebay marketing articles with private label rights - use them on your website, blog, newsletter or for other marketing purposes.

Only $4.95
Coming soon ...


Self SEO Store  
SEO forum
Website templates
Flash templates
Best hosting reviews.
Free Internet & IT Magazines.
Articles archive

Submit your article

Register
Login

Search
XML news feeds
Free RSS news reader
Contact


AddThis Feed Button

What Is Malware?

Posted by Thomas Burns on: 2007-07-08 23:19:22

Self SEO > Internet Security Articles


You have probably heard computer people talk about Malware and the damage it can cause. I recently realized that those outside the computer industry are not always familiar with the word. So here is my answer to the frequent question, "What is Malware?"

First, the word "malware" is formed from the words "malicious" and "software." Malware, then is software that performs malicious activities on a computer system, usually without the knowledge of the computer owner or user. Calling something "malware" presupposes a harmful intention on the part of the creator or sender of the software. Malware can harm individual computers, networks or servers.

Second, "malware" is a broad term that includes a number of tactics used to do harm to a computer. It includes computer viruses, worms, spyware, Trojan horses, and dishonest ads. For example, there are now images in advertising (e-mails, newsletters, etc.) that are activated when the communication is opened. Embedded in the images are codes that gather information from your computer and report it back to the sender. Some service providers have now begun to block all images from e-mails.

Third, "malware" is the same as a "computer contaminant" – a phrase used in the legal codes of several states, including California.

Fourth, defective software is not malware. Although defective software can damage a computer or a network, the manufacturer's intent is not to do harm.

Malware can affect or be aimed at any single computer or any type of system such as a network, an application, or an operating system. What makes a computer vulnerable to malware?
• When all of the computers in a network operate on the same operating system, all of the computers in the network are vulnerable if someone breaks that system.
• Bugs or errors in a system make it easier to exploit with malware.
• Hidden codes from internet sites, e-mails, CDs or other disks can introduce malware without the user realizing it.
• Inappropriate changes to the internal structure of the system.
• Inadequate system security that allows access to unauthorized persons.

You can be proactive in protecting your computer or system from malware. The primary elements of malware protection are:
• Keep all software current and properly patched
• Update your operating system regularly
• Update your anti-virus software regularly
• Download files only from reliable known sources
• Read all license agreements carefully before installing new software. Look for warnings about spyware.
• Install and use a firewall.
• Allow only the experts to modify code or make changes to the structure of the system.

If the smooth and efficient operation of your computer or your network is important to you, it is important to remember that many damaged files and programs can never be repaired or recovered if attacked by malware. Protect your system, protect your programs, protect your files.


Copyright (c) 2007 Thomas Burns

--------

Thomas Burns, founder and CEO of Intelligent Networks Services (INS) has been an industry expert in computer network and technology for over 20 years. Under his careful supervision, INS has become a leading, full service IT support company servicing small to mid-sized businesses in Silicon Valley. For more information go to: http://www.intelligentns.com/subscribe and receive a complimentary network evaluation.




Print this article    Tell a friend
Related Articles

User comments:

colton1237 - Posted on: 2010-08-19 18:29:00

Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer

--------------------------------------------------
Gift Ideas
Gifts

lakota6418 - Posted on: 2010-11-24 08:21:16

Malware code is one type of viruses.
____________
Search Engine Marketing


jhoncamron799 - Posted on: 2010-11-25 11:24:43

Malware is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Malware is a category of viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

--------------------------------------------
USANA New Zealand

nicholas795 - Posted on: 2010-12-06 09:59:58

Malware is defining as any piece of software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Malware is spread by exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or application software.

------------------------------------
firewall audit software

pprince951 - Posted on: 2010-12-24 03:18:13

Malware is a category of malicious code that includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Malware is spread by exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or application software.

------------------------------------------------
utah pain management

shandy7894 - Posted on: 2011-01-04 16:26:29

Malware is a category of malicious code that includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Use advanced malicious virus code detection from Norton.

-----------------------------------------
Search Engine Optimization
Google Results

phoenixp160 - Posted on: 2011-05-02 08:45:09

Malware is the term used to describe malicious software. Anti-virus software can help detect malware,
________________
Company Formation
Company Registration

cagenicolus - Posted on: 2011-07-15 13:44:47

Very useful article and gave me enough information to understand about malware. thank you very much.

Hi Fi Speakers
Audio Amplifiers


PCSquad247 - Posted on: 2011-08-02 02:28:26

Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful website.

Computer Technical Support

phoenixp160 - Posted on: 2011-08-06 08:58:14

Malware is the term used to describe malicious software. Anti-virus software can help detect malwar
________________
Web Design Glasgow
Graphic Design Glasgow

lilycollins - Posted on: 2011-09-12 15:08:26

This is very bad for any Online Marketing Company or Internet Marketing Company(SEO Services). In future I will buy this product.

jimb45 - Posted on: 2011-09-18 18:24:07

Malware will definitely bring your computer. You need the right software to prevent it. You need this definitely.
Actos side effects

lilyallen - Posted on: 2011-09-23 20:05:15

Very useful article and gave me enough information to understand about malware. thank you very much.

Online Marketing:Internet Marketing:Web Hosting Packages:Web Development Services

pcsquad247 - Posted on: 2011-09-27 08:41:12

Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.

Dell Support

seocorporation - Posted on: 2011-10-14 15:15:45

Mal-ware can cause immense damage. They put you at a risk of data and identity theft.

International Background

International Private Investigator

Philippine Detective

Philippine Private Investigator
Post New Comment

This site does not allow anonymous comments. Registered members can login to participate. Registration is free and takes only a few seconds