Explanation of terms

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	Explanation of terms

Solution Virus Watch Update

Ever wondered what is crawling around your computer when your anti-virus program declares that it has quarantined a worm? Want to know what phishing is and why someone would want to do it to you?

Malware : Malware (MALicious softWARE) is loosely defined as any software developed and designed to cause harm or damage to a computer system. The different types of Malware can be classified by how it spreads, how it is executed and what it does.

Viruses : A computer virus is code (a program normally) that seeks to in some way change the way a computer system functions without the users permission or knowledge. In order to be defined as a virus, the program must be able to execute and replicate itself. Most viruses are developed with the intention of causing some form of �harm� to the computer by damaging or wiping out certain programs. Some viruses are, in comparison, quite harmless and simply let the user know they are their by doing things like flashing messages across the monitor. However � even these �harmless� viruses can cause the computer to use up resources needed elsewhere and thus cause the system to function worse than it should or sometimes even drive the system to crash.

Trojans : A Trojan (Trojan horse) is a file that pretends to be a file that you want when in fact it is a file containing malicious code. One of the main differences between a �virus� and a �trojan� is that the Trojan doesn�t replicate itself � for it to get around, a user needs to activate it, eg: by clicking on an e-mail attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet.

Worms : A worm is (normally) a malicious program that doesn�t require a �host� program in order to spread itself around (as viruses often require). Worms are often document files that already have the worm code in the document (ie : they don�t infect other documents, these worm documents are the infection). The whole document is passed from system to system. Worm_Mydoom.dam and Worm_Bagel.AH are currently listing among SA�s top malware threats.

Spyware : This is normally software/ a program that collects information from a user�s system and sends information back to the spyware�s source.

Phishing : This is normally an attempt by someone to elicit (or �phish� � pronounced �fish�) confidential information (such as credit card details) from a user by sending out official looking e-mails that appear to come from valid sources (like your bank or your service provider). They normally direct users to sites that look identical to the valid institutions site and ask the users to �confirm� or �update� their details. The unsuspecting user happily fills in their financial information which is then sent to the phisher. Be suspicious of official looking e-mails that ask you to �confirm� or �update� your financial information. Always check for the �padlock� symbol on the bottom of your browser window before giving out any confidential information.

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19 Jul 2005 05:04 PM