Malware

Malware is a term used in the computer field to describe "Malicious Software". Malware is an inclusive term that was coined to describe viruses, spyware, worms, rootkits, trojans, nagware, and scareware. Due to the rapidly changing landscape of deliberately malicious software, many people will use the term "malware" to describe a general problem or threat that exists in the computer field and on the Internet. It is often difficult to distinguish (and explain), the subtle differences between worms, trojans, viruses, and other threats which reduce the productivity of a computer or compromise the security of a network system.

Malware need not execute on the user's computer, but may be software installed on another computer, which, in the course of a seemingly innocent interaction, causes the user or the user's computer to take action to the detriment of the user computer. Phishing, for example, is a scheme where a user is induced to go to an apparently legitimate website, which prompts the user for sensitive information, such as a credit card number, which is then misused.

The term malware can be used to describe a program that is as harmless as an annoying pop-up box that attempts to direct a user to a website in order to increase the websites traffic.

Protection

The protection against malware can exist on several levels. The first level of protection should center around the education of the user, and how good computing habits can help prevent a system or network from being infected or compromised. An educated user may consider the line of defense to be installing an anti-virus program. Additional steps that enhance a computers protection include the activation or installation of a firewall, maintaining and up-to-date web-browser, plugging any operating system (OS) security risks with patches and updates, and avoiding potentially hazardous web-sites and downloads.

Anti-virus packages come in many forms and provide varying degrees of protection. There are free anti-virus (AV) packages which offer only virus protection and scanning abilities, and entire protection suites which provide additional components such as firewall, spyware protection, phishing protection, and email spam protection. Those who opt for the simple single purpose or free AV packages, may wish to download additional spyware detection and removal programs.