Malware

Malware is an abbreviated term for malicious software. This includes any software on your computer that performs any function which is unwanted, undesireable, or even dangerous.



At best, malware takes up memory and CPU cycles and sends information on your browsing habits, or displays ads. At worst, it gives someone else access to your system for sending spam or performing attacks on other systems, or intercepts passwords and/or finds private data on your system and transmits it to another party.

Some malware makes itself obvious. Most adware is a prime example of this, as you will get pop-up ads, sometimes even when you are not browsing the internet. Hijackers are another variety that make themselves obvious. Examples including finding the home page or search provider in your browser changed and often locked. Another example is a search hijacker, where you click on a link on a search engine, such as Google, but you are taken to a different page than expected. Another variety is rouge software. This is software that masquerades as an anti-virus, anti-spyware, or anti-malware program, but is in fact itself malware. These programs often will urge you to purchase the full version of the program, to complete removal of the malware it finds (which is usually a bogus listing). At other times, it is simply to hide a program with a more malicious intent in plain site. Other varieties of malware prefer stealth, and can only be detected by active means, or by accident (i.e., the program crashes and you see an error message for a program you do not recall installing).

The best way to detect malware is to look for it with an automated scanner. This can be either a program you install, or via an online scanner. To avoid infecting your system with a rouge, stay with known providers. Links to 3 online malware scanners can be found at the left side of this page. Links to download anti-malware programs are available on our Free Stuff page.