Three Most Popular Types Of Malicious Software

There are some software that are mainly created to wreak havoc to one's computer. These software are otherwise known as malicious software. These malicious software can be deceiving since most of it take on the appearance of a harmless email or file, while others are more covert by hiding behind ad banners of some sites.

These malicious software are capable of causing minor damages and major damages that can result to file deletions and networks crashing. It is hard to protect your computer if you don't know what you are dealing with so here is a brief overview about some malicious software.

1. Virus. This is probably the most famous type of malicious software. For as long as one can remember, computer viruses have been around for years. As to who made this malicious software is hard to tell.

Computer viruses are somewhat like the viruses in real life; it is capable of infecting one computer and another through file transfers. And like real life viruses, computer viruses also need a host in order to survive.

For computer viruses to survive in the system, it is most likely to attach itself to a host program or file and the viruses get to work once the program runs or the files are accessed. Some viruses are easy to detect while others can remain hidden and embedded in the computer system.

There are two major types of computer viruses namely the boot sector viruses which affect the boot sector of the computer system and of course the file viruses which affect computer files and programs.

2. Worms. Computer worms are more less the same with the computer viruses in the manner that once it gains entry to the computer system it begins to replicate. However, unlike the virus, worms are capable of surviving in the computer system without a host program or file so these are capable of spreading faster and causing more damage.

Worms can delete files, transmit information to its creator, re-infect which results to a disrupted normal system operation and can carry viruses with them. Since computer worms act fast, it can actually result to systems crashing and loss of important data.

3. Trojan Horse. In the battle of Troy, the Trojans fell into the hands of their enemies when a giant horse was given as a gift that carried in its belly the Trojan's enemies. The horse is popularly known as the Trojan horse.

In modern times, the Trojan Horse is often associated with a malicious software that is capable of wreaking havoc on one's computer. This is named as such because the Trojan is often disguised as a harmless program or file. In fact, this can be hidden codes in some genuine programs.

Once the user runs the programs, the trojan is activated and released into the system. Unlike viruses and worms, the trojan doesn't replicate. Examples of trojans are keyloggers, remote access trojans and logic bombs.

There are still a lot of malicious software which poses as a threat to your computer's security. To keep them from gaining access, you have to be careful about the software you are installing and the files that you are downloading. Remember not all software are computer friendly.