Adware

• This is software which displays advertisements to the user of an infected computer, usually in the form of “Pop-Ups” on the computer’s monitor.
• This type of malware usually includes spyware in order to target the advertisements to the user.
• This type of malware will usually cause a noticeable slowdown in the computer’s operation, even when the “Pop-Ups” are blocked.

• This is a term for malware that sits on your computer and waits for instructions before doing anything.
• This type of malware is typically used for sending out spam, or attacking other computers.
• Many bots are usually linked together in a network with a single computer controlling all the others. This is called a bot-net.

• This is the term used when a piece of malware combines more than one type of malware to accomplish its goal.
• Spammers are now using this type of malware to infect computers with a worm which has a Trojan as a payload to make the computer a “Zombie”, hide it using a root kit, track usage info using spyware, and to use the zombie to send out the spam.

• This is a new catagory or grouping of malware.
• This type of malware was developed for the sole purpose of committing crimes.
• The following types of malware can be considered crimeware:
  • Ransomware
  • Spyware used to steal information to be used in identity theft.
  • Root Kits

• This can be a costly one. This type of malware holds your data for ransom.
• This can arrive on your system via email or a malicious web site.
• The data on your computer is encrypted and you need to pay to get access to it.

• This is a nasty one. This type of malware hides the existence of itself and other malware. This makes removal extremely difficult.

• This is a type of adware which, instead of causing “Pop-Ups”, will replace the advertisements in programs or web pages with its own advertisements.

• This is a program that is used to steal information from your computer and send it to the person controlling it.
• This is frequently used in conjunction with adware or by a spammer to try to figure out what your interests are so they can send advertisements which would be of interest to you.
• This can also be used by unscrupulous individuals or organizations to steal user IDs and passwords, or even steal your identity.

• This is a program that appears to do one thing, but really does something else. This is usually a means to get past security, similar to the way the Trojan Horse was used by the Greeks to get inside the city of Troy.

• A program that replicates itself by infecting other programs similar to the way a real virus infects cells in the human body.
• Requires that an infected program be run in order to propagate.
• May or may not have a “payload” which can include intentionally damaging the computer or data, installing other malware, or displaying a message
• Infected programs may not function correctly, if at all.

• A program that replicates itself by infecting a computer, then looks for other computers to infect. Does not need a user to run an infected program in order to propagate as it usually attaches itself to the computer’s operating system.
• People frequently lump this category into the Virus category
• May or may not have a “payload”, the same as a virus.
• Most “virus” infections today are actually worms.

• This is not a piece of malware, but rather the state of an infected computer when it is under the full control of an unauthorized person.