Computer Virus

2010-09-28T14:01:28Z

Damnedfreak:

A computer virus is a program, file, ect. that can infect your computer, and can delete essential files or programs. Some viruses can be a hoax or joke, others can be vital to your computer's system. The differences between the other malicious things on the Internet (for example a [[Trojan Horse]]), is that viruses can clone themselves to make them harder to get rid of. Some viruses can bundle multiple malicious files with them.

== Types ==

===Trojan Horse===
''Main Article: [[Trojan Horse]]''

The goal of a [[Trojan Horse]] virus is to install itself secretly, to allow a [[backdoor]] to your computer. Thus, it could now do a number of things, [[Botnets]], [[Malware]], [[Adware]], [[Keylogger|Keyloggers]], etc. Computers are usually infected by downloading them bundled with some other software.

===Adware===
''Main Article: [[Adware]]''

A virus that plays, or shows unwanted ads. An example would be [[Popups|Pop-ups/Pop-unders]]. It typically slows down your computer. Some [[Adware]] display ads that have links to [[Malware]].

===Spyware===
''Main Article: [[Spyware]]''

A term used to describe software that performs certain behaviors, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first, such as advertising, collecting [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal information]], and changing the configuration of your computer.

====Keyloggers====
''Main article: [[Keylogger]]''

A program that records all of your keystrokes, and sometimes even mouse movements, and images of your screen. This is obviously bad, since it records your financial information, passwords, and the like.

==Avoiding getting infected==
Having a regular scan of your computer with an anti-virus, and anti-adware/malware.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antivirus_software]

You might also want to see this topic, on what the WOT community has to say:
[http://www.mywot.com/en/forum/1579-what-antivirus-do-you-have]

As for anti-adware, LavaSoft is a good choice[http://www.lavasoft.com/]. Also, Spybot search and Destroy
is notable [http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html].

====More ways to protect your system====
You can also block harmful websites too, using the HOSTS file. The HOSTS file on Windows XP is in: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

Example: typing something like "127.0.0.1" or "website.com" would result in "website.com" always redirecting to "127.0.0.1" (localhost).

Be sure to save your hosts file NOT using "Save As", because it won't work if the extension is .txt

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See Also:

[[Online_tools]]

[http://www.online-spyware-removal.com Online Spyware Removal]

Adware

2010-09-28T13:58:17Z

Damnedfreak:

==What is adware?==
Adware is unsolicited commercial software that comes combined with a host application, usually freeware or shareware, which displays advertising while the program is running or through some other triggering mechanism. Some adware hides components and disables removal techniques making it difficult to remove. Adware may also gather user information which causes privacy concerns.

===Where does adware come from?===

Adware is most often integrated into free applications. MyWay Searchbar [http://www.mywot.com/scorecard/www.myway.com],
which has utilities such as SmileyCentral [http://www.mywot.com/scorecard/smiley.smileycentral.com] and Zwinky [http://www.mywot.com/scorecard/home.zwinky.com] , and WeatherBug [http://www.mywot.com/scorecard/weather.weatherbug.com] (adware can be turned off with a paid upgrade) are examples of apps that are reported to contain adware. Adware and spyware programs may also be installed because your browser or operating system has a security hole which was exploited.

===How does adware affect my computer?===

Pop-up advertisements appear during web browsing or general desktop use. These are annoying and in some cases degrade system performance.

===How do I protect myself from adware?===

Before you can protect your computer against future adware, make sure that you remove any that is already on your machine.

* Run anti-spyware and anti-adware updates and scans regularly
* Turn on immunization options in anti-spyware and anti-adware software
* Make sure your operating system, browser and email software has the latest updates to plug security holes
* Turn on the firewall when using the Internet
* Use WOT for preventative protection against risky websites

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External links: [http://www.mywot.com/en/online-threats/adware] (The original page)
[http://www.online-spyware-removal.com Online Spyware Removal]

WOT Wiki - User contributions [en]

Computer Virus

Adware