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Malware is often the result of people trying to make money by installing software on your computer. Often the software will deliver advertisements, change your search engine, or otherwise do something undesireable to your computer while providing little or no actual functionality in return.
The most common methods that parties use to deliver malware to your computer are
(1) Through advertisements on websites. Many websites need to serve advertisements to viewers in order to make money to pay the costs to run the site or so that the people who work on the site can make a living from doing so. However, many websites, particularly ones with a poor reputation will serve advertisements which are not properly screened, and can be delivered by malicious parties. Some of these ads are present on download websites and are disguised as 'download' buttons which do not actually download the file you are looking for, but rather something else. The website advertiser is tricking you into downloading malware.
(2) Bundled with certain free software. Many people who become programmers make money by developing software. As free software is appealing to many people, the programmers often have to result in bundling adware such as browser toolbars, search engines, etc with the programs. Much of the time, these programs can be benign. They can deliver advertisements only occasionally and do not slow the computer down, but all too often they can impair the performance of your computer or make it slightly harder to use.
Malware scanners often classify these types of programs as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and too many of them does often cause problems or let in real malware.
Legitimate and respectable programs can ask to install a PUP (such as Ask search engine) on your computer, but these are often presented as an optional thing during the install process of the program. Pay attention to the options you are given when installing a program and know that most of the programs that are presented as optional installs are designed to make the software author money.
(3) Drive-by downloads. Websites that have been hacked or fake websites often are good vectors for malware. In some cases these websites will present a popup ad that pretends to be your antivirus program and alerts you of potential viruses (although a websites can't know what your actual antivirus program is, they will pretend to be some generic antivirus). These types of ads trick you into installing malware and are some of the worst malware vectors due to the fact that a lot of people who care about making their computer safer actually make it unsafe.
(4) Fake programs, or programs that have malicious functionality. This is a common problem and how a lot of people get malware. There are thousands of "registry cleaners" or other programs that claim to 'make your computer faster' (in truth, only a small fraction of these do-- whereas most others will actually worsen performance), there are hundreds of programs that claim to let you download YouTube videos or something else you may want. Malware authors often disguise their software as useful or a type of software you might want.
My recommendation is to use a search engine to find programs that others recommend or seem to have a good reputation.
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∙ 9y ago
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Is it true that Spysweeper does not remove viruses but causes them?
Spysweeper sweeps your computer for spyware and malware and therefore only removes spyware and malware. It is a perfectly legitimate programme and doesn't "cause viruses". correct
What is the difference between a virus and an infection?
A virus causes an infection. It is the actual file that causes the infection. An infection itself is the action or state of the computer's security being compromised by a virus or other malware.
What is system security scanner?
Malware Malware
What is Trojan. Zbot?
Malware do not download
What is Free Malware for computer?
A free malware removal tool helps you identify and remove malware from your computer
Worms and Trojan horses are examples of .?
malware
What is malicious computers?
Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Some computers are invaded with malware that causes damage to the computers. Malicous computer is a computer that has a malicious code and it is passing it to other computers.
I have something called Malware bytes' Anti-Malware installed on my computer and it will NOT allow me to remove it........ how can I remove it?
Chill You Woudnt Want To Delete it Malware Bytes Anti Malware Is On The Good Side Of The War Of Malware Try Add/Remove Programs
Why is it important to update anit-virus software frequently?
AnswerIt is important because everyday malware variants are constantly being made and spread. To start off the term malware is short for malicious software. Malware is anything that causes undesired or unknown actions. The most popular types of malware are spyware, viruses, rootkits, trojan horses, worms and adware. Yes, you may be overwhelmed. Just know that all malware is bad and you do not want your computer exposed to it. Basically, there are new malware threats everyday and is vital to your protection. The reason why is because when you update your antivirus software recieves definitions. These definitions tell your antivirus software about new threats. This is why you must update.
Is malware a virus?
Viruses are a kind of malware. Malware is basically, as the name suggests, malicious software that can affect your computer. There are some easy to understand sources about what is malware and viruses in the related links.
Can malware duplicate itself?
Some malware can duplicate itself. Self-replicating malware which does so as a propagation mechanism is called a Worm.
What is the oldest mode of malware infection?
The oldest mode of malware infection is tricking the user into downloading the malware. This is known as a Trojan Horse.
