Guide to Detection and Removal Of Malware

Guide to Detection and Removal Of Malware

Dan Sippy, Apr 29, 2007 1800 hrs IST

Is your PC acting strange? Maybe it's sick. Here's a prescription that should make it feel better!

There are many system security threats on the internet that we know of, but there are a thousand others that we not even aware about and can make you pull your hair out. In this article, I'll help you understand how to prevent your PC from being infected and in case it does, how to fix it. Before we begin with the steps, here's some brief information about the different types of threats on the internet.

Spyware

A spyware can be described as any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's computer when connected with an internet connection usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the internet. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. This not only makes your system vulnerable to hacking but it also disrupts privacy.

For example, when you use a spyware infected computer to invest in the share market. You enter your account details in the infected computer, not only does the spyware transfer that information to a third party, but it can also make a dummy website that will look exactly like the one you use to check the market. By doing this, it could use your account details to steal money from your account without your knowledge or even consent of it happening.

Adware

While not necessarily Malware, Adware is considered to go beyond the reasonable advertising that one might expect from freeware or shareware. Typically, a separate program that is installed at the same time as a shareware or similar program, adware will usually continue to generate advertising even when the user is not running the originally desired program (sometimes it happens even when you re not online!).

Adware may not be as harmful as spyware, but it causes your system's performance to drop. Slow startup, windows takes a long time to open, small pop-ups telling you to buy certain products; all these are symptoms of Adware infection. The purpose of this Adware is to trick you into buying a third party's product.

We better stick to these two first. Spyware and Adware are quite similar but it is better to understand them one at a time, so here we go.