| The three main threats to your computer security are | | | | some spyware and adware and crimeware.The main |
| Adware, Spyware and Malware. They all are similar | | | | culprits of this type attempt to self replication in an |
| because they are unwanted programs or applications | | | | effort to infect as many parts of your system as |
| that are performing tasks that you have not | | | | possible. They delete, modify and move files to stop |
| authorised. They use up your valuable system | | | | your system from working properly. Some Malware is |
| resources and do not offer any benefit to you. | | | | more harmful than others, but they all attempt to do |
| The differences between the three | | | | damages to your system. It gets more serious when |
| Adware is the most legitimate of these nuisances and | | | | your computer is connected to a network of other |
| more often than not will be in the form of freeware, | | | | computers that all may become infected with these |
| software you don't have to pay for. It is advertising | | | | security risks. |
| material which is packaged into software and is | | | | All the threats above can be protected against with |
| installed automatically on your system when a | | | | their equivalent software Antivirus, Malware, Adware |
| particular piece of software is installed. For example | | | | and Spyware detectors. You will find that a lot of |
| you install a piece of software to scan an image and | | | | these programs combine the other forms of protection |
| you also get a photo album program containing lots of | | | | so you will find an Antivirus program that also protects |
| advertising. This as a security risk is minimal as it is | | | | you against Adware and Spyware or visa-versa. |
| intended to simply be an advert(s). | | | | They all aim to scan your system to disinfect, |
| Spyware on the other hand is software that does not | | | | quarantine or delete the problem from all areas of the |
| intentionally harm your system, but is intrusive. They | | | | computer and restore your computer security. |
| create streams of communication to your computer | | | | Signs of risk |
| system. Their normal practice is to record your | | | | Signs of computer security risks include pops ups that |
| interaction with your system. The keys you press and | | | | are unrelated to the content you are looking at or your |
| the websites you visit as a minimum, this is used later | | | | system becomes very slow to load or work with |
| by the web advertisers so they can target you with | | | | compared to how it normally operates this could be |
| unwanted and unrelated pop-ups and e-mails. They | | | | related to Adware or Spyware. Malware can cause |
| are also installed automatically with other related | | | | your system to slow down, but if your system starts |
| programs. They scan your computer monitoring your | | | | acting unexpectedly then it is probably a virus. In all |
| applications, chat room programs, cookies and your | | | | cases especially with Malware shut your computer |
| website activities. They gather this information to build | | | | down immediately and get it scanned using an |
| a profile that they can send to the Spyware author. | | | | independent disk to remove the threat. |
| This information can then be used for advertising, | | | | Other ways to protect |
| marketing and sold to other parties. | | | | You can use a firewall program to help combat theses |
| Malware is the most destructive form of these | | | | threats and keep your system clean. If you avoid |
| security risks. They were and are still designed solely | | | | visiting or installing programs from less creditable |
| for the purpose of damaging your computer. Malware | | | | sources you will be well on your way to keeping your |
| includes viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, | | | | system protected. |