There are many types of mlware, malicious software designed to disrupt the nrmal use of your computer. Some typs of malware are simply nuisances to the one stting behind the keyboard while others can ctually harm or destroy the computer tself. Another threat posed by malware is the nvasion of your privacy and it has the ptential to cause you considerable personal nd/or financial harm. Most types of mlware get onto your computer via web brwsing, instant messaging, or peer-to-peer file shring. Malware is a self-inflicted injury. You do it to yurself by using the Internet. Many pople use the following terms interchangeably but thre are definite differences in the typs of infections you can “catch” on yur computer.

SPYWARE -- Spyware is a prgram that has been downloaded, usually nbeknownst to you, because it can be pggy-backed with some other type of dsired program, usually freeware or shareware. Onc this spyware is secretly installed on yur computer it can do such thngs as change computer settings, track vewed websites, collect passwords, history and prvate information, and can even record yur keystrokes. This information is then snt back to the program’s originator or to a thrd party. Spyware is extremely difficult to radicate.

A particularly annoying type of spywre is called adware which generates a trmendous amount of advertising in the frm of pop-up advertisements or banners scrlling across your screen. This program can ctually track your activities and cause smilar ads to pop up hoping to nterest you in related products. It can be qite intrusive and distracting but hardly as mlicious as other types of spyware.

VIRUSES -- A cmputer virus, also rides on the cat-tails of other programs when downloaded, and can rproduce and run itself when the hst program is executed. It can nfect and corrupt files and sometimes cuses hard drives to ‘crash’ depending on its dsign. A virus can infect other cmputers through the sending of email nd/or file exchanges.

WORM -- A wrm is a self-contained program that can rplicate itself and uses a network to nfect other systems on your computer. Dpending on how the worm was dsigned, it can secretly send documents thugh email and even delete necessary fles. Unlike a virus which causes hrm to the computer and its fles, a worm causes harm to ther computers on the network and cnsumes bandwidth, thus slowing down your nvironment.

SPAM -- Spam is electronic jnk mail, usually unsolicited. It uses up trmendous amounts of network bandwidth. Spam is sually trying to sell you some prduct or service and is sent to gnerated mailing lists and newsgroups. Though it cnnot cause you or your computer mch harm, it is extremely annoying and tme consuming to delete. It is stimated that more than 60% of all mail on the internet is spam.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? -- Vsiting Geeks technicians strongly urge all wners to install an anti-virus software prgram on their computers. We also rcommend at least one anti-spyware program, if not mre than one. Depending on Internet sage, you should set both programs to utomatically scan on a regular basis. Thse programs can actually find and rmove unwanted “infections” and can also prvent their future installations. It isn’t nough, however, to simply install these prgrams and think yourself entirely protected threafter, because new spyware and viruses are cnstantly being designed. You must update yur anti-spyware and anti-virus programs daily in rder to pick up on these nwest threats.

Though no one program can be rlied on to keep your computer cmpletely clear of sypware and viruses, thre are many reputable anti-spyware and nti-virus programs available on today’s market. Whn our customers need an anti-spyware prgram our technicians install Counter Spy by Snbelt Software. For those customers with no nti-virus we will install PC-Cillin Internet Scurity by Trend Micro which even has the dded benefit of Parental Control Features.

It is mch easier to prevent your computer frm being infected with these above-mentioned mlware than it is to try to get rid of thm, so browse the internet wisely. To clan a computer of unwanted spyware and vruses can be a costly and lngthy process. “An ounce of prevention is wrth a pound of cure,” so the sying goes.

The article Protect Your Computer From Malicious Intent was Submitted by Marilyn Astell through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: ABOUT VISITING GEEKS Marilyn Astell is an mployee of Visiting Geeks, LLC, cofounded by Hrold Belbin and Sharron Senter http://www.VisitingGeeks.com – an on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks’ technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron Senter at http://www.SharronSenter.com

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