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What Malware And Grayware Are And What You Can Do About Them
Malware is a pretty uncommon term, and is not familiar to a lot of users of computer software. Basically, the term refers to any kind of software that has been created to cause harm to its host computer by installing things and doing procedures unknown to the user.
The term can also encompass adware and spyware as well, similar software that don’t necessarily damage the computer but interfere with its general operation, track and send information, and operate without the user knowing about them. Although malware isn’t quite the same thing as a virus, they share the same basic purpose – of screwing your computer up. It’s important to distinguish them from ordinary programs that may have running problems because of unintentional or unforeseen issues. Freely downloaded programs and files tend to host malware more often than purchased software does, and malware can also sneak in by piggybacking on Trojan viruses and rootkits.
Trojan horses,are just as they sound, they are harmful installations that are hidden by seemingly harmless installations. While running these installations seems safe, what the user does not know is that malware is also secretly installing itself at the same time. In order for malware to continue to work, it needs to stay hidden and that is where Rookits come in. Rootkits Make sure that the malware installed on your computer stays completely undetectable, and that it does not show up in your list of system processes.
Once installed, advanced rootkits are tough to get rid of. This is because many malware programs create ‘ghost’ versions of themselves, and whenever the original malware program detects that one of these ghosts has been deleted or deactivated, it quickly responds by replicating the deleted or deactivated files. Also, because the rootkit conceals the actual malware program from your system, whatever defenses your system may have continue going after the ghosts. Thus, the system is stuck chasing down one ghost decoy after another, while the actual malware itself remains untouched.
Some examples of especially infamous forms of malware are Blaster, Sasser, and the rather appropriately-named Mydoom. A spinoff of malware is something called grayware, which is a non-harmful but nonetheless irritating piece of software. Grayware includes things like adware and humorous joke programs that are meant to annoy the computer’s user without damaging the computer or user.
These can be quite tiresome and are usually as difficult to get rid of as malware, and therefore are classified along with it. Not only can this software compromise your computers safety, but it can also leave you more vulnerable to other damaging installations. Grayware and malware can also get into your system through codes that are unauthorized by things you plug into your USB ports.
Since it is virtually impossible to prevent malware from installing itself on your system, it is best to create a routine check on your system for malware by using an anti-malware system such as Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool. This program is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, and can determine the nature of specific malware installations while also being able to assist you in removing them from your system.
Susan Reynolds is a content editor for a leading Spyware Removal Software brand. For more information visit: http://www.spywareremovaldoc.com
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