Threats » Malware

What is Malware?

Malware is a form of software which is designed specifically for malicious purposes. It is developed with the ability to infiltrate computers without the owner’s knowledge or their express permission. Malware infects systems by “piggybacking” within or disguising itself as legitimate software. When a computer user consensually installs something they think is safe they may inadvertently install malware at the same time. The term malware can be used to describe a lot of internet nasties such as: computer viruses, trojans, rootkits, worms and spyware. The term virus is also used to refer to malware but this is not entirely correct. Malware is developed for a number of reasons but typically it is developed for dishonest reasons, it is hostile, it can be aggressive and malware is sometimes annoying.

Which ZoneAlarm Product is best to combat Malware?

ZoneAlarm offers two products to keep you safe from the threat of malware. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is the number one defence against malware. Protecting your computer from the very deepest layers of the operating system all the way through to the physical world ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite minimises the chance of an attack on your PC. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite comes with protection for up to 3 PCs and also comes with the new 1-Click Fix It feature making it easier than ever to fix problems with the push of a button. ZoneAlarm Antivirus plus Firewall can also help you eliminate and control malware. This popular antivirus software comes with award-winning technology to stop malware dead in its tracks.

What is the purpose of?

Malware is often associated with fraud and data theft but previously malware was developed simply to be destructive or annoying to users. Older forms of malware would simply destroy files or overwrite hard disks with trash data rendering a system useless.
More recently malware has been held responsible for the theft of thousands, if not millions, of dollars through identity theft and computer fraud. Some money-making schemes have seen malware such as viruses and spyware implanted in spam. These schemes often involve blackmail forcing companies or individuals to pay large sums of money to maintain or revive system continuity that has been corrupted by malware. Other forms of malware have been used to breach privacy and penetrate computer systems to steal credit card data, personal information and other sensitive data.

A short history of Malware

The history of malware is quite complex as the term represents so many types of software. The first form of malware was the computer virus. Other forms of malware such as worms and spyware followed the development of computer viruses and became equally destructive. Since the advent of the internet and the increasing popularity of networking malware has become significantly more widespread. Malware has branched into many more forms and today there are a multitude of different methods malware can use to infiltrate a computer system and cause damage.

Characteristics of Malware

Malware is always installed with the intent of causing harm to a computer system. The way in which it does this can vary. Computer viruses can infect and replicate within a computer system while other forms such as spyware can covertly monitor the activities of a user. The characteristics of each type of malware are very different and often involve complex software programming. Malware can exploit the vulnerabilities of a system and cause serious damage to the system and the reputation of many companies. The sophistication of the software programming involved in malware often makes it impossible to counteract without knowledge akin to that of its developers. Occasionally malware can even display types of programming that is previously unknown to the computer world.

Eliminating/Controlling

Malware is the biggest threat to the integrity of any system. It is often difficult to control once it enters a computer but there are some basic ways you can avoid encountering malware. Ensuring you do not open suspicious or unexpected emails will prevent malware attached to spam such as viruses and keyloggers entering your computer. Limiting your browsing habits to reputable websites and avoiding internet advertising will also help prevent infection by spyware and other forms of malware. Providing personal information on the internet also poses a risk and may leave your system vulnerable.

The best way to protect your computer from all malware and ensure you can maximise your system usage is to install some form of software developed to protect your computer. The significant growth in malware has inturn seen a growth in the number of software products available to protect you from these threats. Antivirus programs and Internet Security programs are the most popular forms and both offer protection for your system. These programs work in different ways and the combination of both types of software will ensure your complete protection and system integrity.