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What is a computer virus
Viruses are programmes that can attack computers, tablet, phones and other digital devices. A virus is a small programme designed to cause trouble by gaining access to your device.
What is It used for?
Viruses can copy your personal data or slow your device down, they spread by duplicating and attaching itself to other files. Viruses are one type of malware.
How can you get one?
You can get a computer virus by downloading malicious files. These could be disguised as other common files such as word documents or pictures.
Malware: What is it?
Malware is the software that infects and tries to take control of a device or information stored on a computer. It is very common for malware to be ignored for the scarier media name, Computer virus.
How can it be protected against?
Programmes are available such as AVG virus scan and Malwarebytes. These programs will protect your device in real time against threats that are trying to gain access. The best protection is prevention. So educating yourself to not install suspicious content from websites, not to open unknown files in emails and using unknown USB pen drives. Malware can install from an executable file or even within the code of a file to automaqtically install or run a process when the device is installed or file is opening. A feature to turn off is Auto Enable macros as this would prevent auto running scripts from running in the background while you’re trying to open a file/folder.
Adware:
What is it?
This is generally malware that targets a computer with ads.
Sometimes it can be completely legitimate (Targeted ads on facebook website) and illegitimate (pop-ups). The illegitimate versions are normally installed by accidentally clicking a website banner on a poor website. You may also notice ads that pop up with the message “You are the 1 millionth visitor” when you know a website like facebook has more than that in an hour.
What is it used for?
These are targeted than actually used, but it can target all devices that have user input and control such as smart TV, phone, tablet, computer, laptop, etc.
What is a Trojan.
A Trojan virus takes its name fro the greek attack on troy with a wooden Trojan horse. It attacks a computer from within and it normally gets onto a computer by masking it as something else, normally a programme downloaded from the internet or attached to an email.
What is it used for?
Normally this is the delivery method of getting malware onto a computer. A Trojan will then attempt to take over the computer, be it by crashing, overheating or stealing the data on the computer. Most Trojans can be found with anti-virus/malware software as they all have a similar signature.
What types of programmes devices use it?
This can attack anything. A computer can be taken over, a mobile phone can be bugged, a tablet can be shut down, and a connected fridge can be turned off/up.
Spyware:
What is spyware?
Spyware is malicious software, often installed without the user’s consent, which aids in gathering information about a person or organisation.
What is it used for?
spyware is used to collect information about a person or organistation to be relayed to advertisers or other interested parties. This could include internet activity, keystrokes (also known as a keylogger), passwords and other valuable information.