What are Viruses Worms, Trojans and Malware?Just the way there are different types of dangerous elements in this world like terrorists, burglars, spies, and mischief mongers, the electronic world is also infested with a destructive population of different classes, collectively called malware (malicious software). They are the viruses, worms, Trojans, and other potentially harmful program codes. The main aim of any of these destructive applications is to damage the software and hardware components of your PC and weaken its software security. They differ from each other in their methodology.
The first and most common class of malware called the virus is one of the deadliest computer programs. It spreads by replicating itself and entering the host computer after which it attaches itself to a system program as an executable file and starts off with its destructive activities. It spreads across systems via the Internet, networking, or through mobile storage media like floppy and compact disks. Computer viruses vary in the severity of destruction that they cause. Some of them are designed to just irritate the user while others are designed to ‘kill’ each and every component of your PC, rendering it a useless junk. Some of them remain dormant on the host computer till activated while others are active right from the time they enter a system. You need to install an anti virus software on your computer and conduct a virus scan to detect any viral infections on it.
A worm is another deadly form of malware. It spreads by replicating itself and then infecting a computer system, akin to a virus. But it differs from a virus-unlike the virus it does not depend on a host program or any user activity to start functioning. It downloads itself as an independent program and then functions in a self-sufficient manner. Worms enter systems that have some security loopholes in them. Hence you have to ensure hundred percent protection for your system by using the best antivirus programs that come with a powerful anti worm features as well. Any recent antivirus software review will keep you updated about the latest viruses and worms.
Another class of malware that commonly affects your computer is the Trojan. The naming of this malware has been inspired by the historical infiltration of Troy by the Greeks using wooden horses. Apparently a Trojan is a harmless piece of software that you might find absolutely safe to load on your computers. But once you load it, it will start off with its destructive activities. It can do a number of things to your computer, right from small irritating activities to stealing vital information from your computer and relaying it to remotely located systems, destroying the hardware and software of your computer on its way. They are so powerful that the only way (not always) to get rid of them is to format your PC.
Anti virus software reviews can give you very good information about the latest malware that is doing the rounds. Keep your system updated with some of the best anti virus programs. It is always better to buy antivirus software than to download free antivirus software for better quality assurance.
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