Malware

Malware, or malicious software, is a nastier cousin of spyware deigned to cause damage to a single PC, server or computer network. Hackers write these programs for various reasons, notably revenge against an “enemy“ business’s program developer, or just because they want to screw up user operations. The implications for small business and home-based business owners is grave. As with software, prevention is the key to dealing with this type of spyware, because new attacks occur every day, keeping anti-spyware program developers busy developing new codes to protect user computers.

Malware can hijack your browser, redirect search attempts, provide endless pop-up ads, track Web sites you visit, and make your PC unstable to the point of being unusable, or run slower than a moving glacier.

Infections occur in several ways, with bundling with other programs and file sharing the most common. Malware generates endless pop-up ads, developed by hackers eager to gain ad tracking revenue. Some malware pretends to be necessary software needed to view a particular Web site, while others utilize security flaws in Windows Internet Explorer and are quickly installed by users just visiting the wrong Web site. Most malware is installed by users. Malware is nastier than spyware because it replicates once installed, making it all the more difficult to remove.

Originally, malware was written as a prank to gain a notch in a young hacker’s belt. This gradually became malicious, with these nasty programs designed to destroy hard disk files or impede networks with hacker identity tags as a medal of honor. Sometimes disgruntled programmers left back doors in software programs they would later access to wreak havoc as revenge for perceived wrongs done to them by a former company employer. But since 2001, the game has gotten nastier with the growth of broadband Internet access. Soon hackers were tweaking their applications to gain control of PCs for criminal activity, and create zombie PCs used to send email spam, act as unwitting hosts to child pornography rings, or business extortion. Redirections to Web sites for affiliate marketing funds accumulation is common.

Places endless ads on your PC screen, including pop-ups, pop-unders, embedded program ads, and ads layered on top of other ads. These can appear at any time, such as when you’re involved in business document preparation, using a spread sheet or evaluating Web sites.

This type of Spyware run in the background to collect data, or integrates itself into Internet Explorer, allowing it to run undetected whenever Internet Explorer is open. Captured information about you and your computer is sent to somebody else, by relaying addresses of Web sites you visit, download information from or terms you search for, or capturing information you type into forms using Internet Explorer. Still others search your hard drive and report back what programs you’ve installed, contents of your e-mail clients address book (usually sold to spammers), or any other information about or on your computer, like your name, browser history, login names, passwords, credit card numbers, your phone number and address.

This is malware that takes control of your home page, search pages and tool bar, redirects you to a hacker site when you key in a wrong Web site address or prevent you from accessing Web sites hackers don’t want you to visit, like Web sites presenting information on malware removal or identification.

Malware toolbars imitate legitimate functionality and appearance of commercial toolbars, while providing pathways for changes or redirects.

Dialers direct your modem to connect to an 1-900 number, providing revenue to the hacker who wrote it, and sticking you with a large phone bill that can run hundreds of dollars. Key loggers transmit keystroke information to steal ID information and passwords from legitimate financial, bank or credit card Web sites you use, resulting in identity theft and credit card fraud.

• Make sure you computer’s software protection programs are current. Update them regularly. Every other day is ideal. Most can be scheduled to perform updates automatically. Run frequent virus scans.

• Download program updates from legitimate source company Web sites of the company you bought the program from.

• Think and read the fine print of license agreements before you click and install, for concealed warnings that the program you’re about to install contains spyware.

• Use a firewall. Windows XP uses a built-in software firewall. Software firewalls are good but sometimes different to merge into your PC’s operation. Hardware firewalls are better.

• Use more than just one anti-spyware or anti-virus program. No one program can catch everything.

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