Malware

Malware, a portmanteau from the words **mal**icious and soft**ware**, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. There are several types of malware.

## Virus

**See also:** Virus

Unlike worms, viruses do not spread. The user may download the file mistaking it for another program from a domain or an email. It will then infect the machine and execute the payload. Some are more lethal than others. Despite popular belief: **Virus is not the general term for malicious computer software. The general term is in fact MALWARE!**

## Trojan

**See also:** Trojan

A Trojan is a type of malware that gets on a user's computer by disguising itself as that isn't malware.

## Worm

**See also:** Worm

A worm is a piece of malware that will spread through multiple services, usually harvesting domains and legit contacts to spread itself.

### Email Worm

**See also:** Email Worm

Email Worms are self-explanatory, they are worms that spread through email services. These usually consist of innocent looking emails, telling you to try out a game or advertising an update for a piece of software. When run, it will execute its payload and repeat the process to another user.

**See also:** IRC Worm

IRC worms are also kind of self-explanatory, they are a sub-category of worms that spread through IRC channels. They are similar to Email Worms as to they provide innocent looking messages with malicious attachments.

### Internet Worm

**See also:** Internet Worm

An Internet worm is a worm that spreads through Internet connections, sometimes infecting popular domains.

### Network Worm

**See also:** Network Worm

A Network worm is a worm that spreads through workgroups, homegroups etc. Infected machines may distribute the malware to other users on the Network.

## Adware

**See also:** Adware

Adware is certainly the most common type of malware these days. As you can guess from the name, these are generally downloaded through ads. They are also distributed through Download Helpers and Sponsored Downloaders. Such as [sorry to name and shame] 4shared, CNET and Softonic. There are also many sub-categories of this type of Malware.

### Fake Software

There are many types of fake software, ranging from antiviruses to disk optimizers. After downloading, they often perform a scan, find a load of fake problems and offer a price for an activation key. If the user pays this, they will be simply laughed at, as the program deletes itself [and the user would have paid at least £50].

### Browser Hijackers

Browser Hijackers are another common piece of adware, often these will install with Sponsored Downloads. They exploit the fact that very few people properly read installers, and often allow programs to set themselves as your homepage, default browser and default search. The simplest way to get rid of these is to run AdwCleaner and reset your browser to its default state.

### Toolbars

Sometimes bundled with Browser Hijackers, these often add toolbars to your browser's taskbar. Not only are these annoying, they are often intrusive to the user's experience. They can not be removed easily without Anti-Junkware tools.

## Ransomware

**See also:Ransomware**

Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to permanently block access to the victim's personal data unless a ransom is paid.

## Scareware

**See also:** Scareware

Scareware is useless software designed to scare the user into paying for it.

### Rogue Security Software

Rogue Security Software is a type of scareware that pretends to be an antivirus.

## OEM Bloatware

Ever received a new computer just to find it's bundled with a bunch of Malware? They fall under this category. These can range from any piece of Adware or other Malware, often Potentially Unwanted Applications. Some manufacturers disgustingly bundle Browser Hijackers such as MyWebSearch with their computers, and charge for removal. The best way to solve OEM Bloatware is to either run an Anti-Junkware tool or format. However, some pieces of OEM Bloatware are actually legit applications, that probably won't be detected.