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Virus:
This is typically a computer program that is loaded onto your computer, usually without you knowing. Once your PC is ‘infected’ you can then pass the ‘virus’ on to others by creating new files which you then inadvertently pass on to others through the sharing of files.
Worm:
A worm is similar to a virus, but can spread from computer to computer without a person being involved. A worm takes advantage of the communication features on a PC (usually email) which allow it to send copies of itself to other machines. The biggest danger with a worm is its ability to replicate itself within a system, so rather than a computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, having a devastating effect. For example, a worm could send a copy of itself to everyone listed in your email address book. The worm then replicates and sends itself out to everyone listed in each of the recipients' address books, and so on. Due to the copying nature of a worm and its ability to travel across networks, the end result in most cases is that the worm consumes too much system memory causing Web or network servers, and individual computers to stop responding.
Trojan or Trojan Horse:
 Named after the famous mythological Trojan Horse this will first appear to be useful software, such as a music file or video clip, but will actually be a virus, worm or spyware (see below) that will run once you have opened it. Once activated on your machine it could do damage or steal information. Recipients are usually tricked into opening Trojan Horses because they look like legitimate software or files from a known source. When a Trojan is activated on your computer, the results can vary. Some Trojans are designed to be more annoying than malicious (like changing your desktop or adding silly active desktop icons), but more and more are causing serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on PCs. Trojans are also known to create a backdoor on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, potentially allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised.
Spyware:
 Spyware is a software program that secretly collects information from the computer on which it is installed, broadcasting it back to an outside party. This could be personal data such as login details (including passwords) or bank account details (if you keep these on your PC hard disk). There have been reports that claim that over 90% of machines connected to the Internet are infected with spyware. Some spyware programs can log your every keystroke or retrieve files from your PC - a serious threat to your privacy. Some of the most sophisticated spyware can continually change themselves, making it particularly difficult to remove. Spyware can also cause increased spam and pop-up adverts. (See 'Adware' below.)
Adware:
Adware is advertising supported software, more commonly known as 'pop-ups'. Its aim is to entice you to visit a web site in order to sell you something. It usually installs components on your computer which transmit marketing information to central servers. In some programs, this is then used to tailor the advertising for increased effectiveness. The main difference between Adware and Spyware is that Adware usually contains a disclosure that reveals exactly what information is being collected and how it is used.
Malware:
This term has been shortened from 'malicious software' and is usually applied to cover a wide range of 'hostile' software, such as viruses, Trojan Horses and worms. It is software that is specifically designed to damage or disrupt a system, files or its components.
Dialler:
 This is a program that, often secretly, changes your dial-up connection setting so instead of calling your local Internet provider, your PC calls are routed to an expensive '0900' or international phone number.
Protect yourself!
These threats are most often distributed across the Internet by email or by the downloading of files. To ensure that you are not infected, follow the golden rules set out below.
The Golden Rules
- Do not download software on to your PC from a source that you do not know or do not trust.
- Do not respond to or open any attachments in emails from an unknown source.
- Do not respond to any emails that require you to disclose security information, even if it purports to be a bank.
There are three key controls that home PC users must employ to help keep their PC and personal data safe from harm:
1. Keep your Operating System (e.g. WindowsXP) and Web Browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) up to date.
Most software companies, including Microsoft, issue updates (or 'patches') from time to time which include improvements to security. It is highly recommended that you install these. It is usually a simple task on a home PC - just visit the website of the company that provides your operating system or browser, check for patches or updates and follow the instructions presented.
2. Install Anti-virus software, and keep it up to date.
Install anti-virus software on your system and download updates frequently to ensure that your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses. Additionally, you should make sure your anti-virus program has the ability to scan email and files whilst they are being downloaded from the Internet. This will help to prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You might also consider installing a firewall.
3. Install a firewall.
This is a system that prevents unauthorised use of and access to your computer. A firewall can be either hardware or software. Hardware firewalls provide a strong degree of protection from most forms of attack that come from the outside world, and can be purchased either as a stand-alone product or in broadband routers. For individual home users, the most popular firewall choice is a software firewall. A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access to your computer, and will usually provide additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or email worms. It is important to remember that, on its own, a firewall is not going to rid you of computer virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and good anti-virus scanning software, it will add some extra security and protection for your PC
Defence software
Many companies, including Norton, MacAfee and Sophos sell home PC defence products such as anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and firewalls. These can be purchased from any PC retailer, and some are provided with new PCs as part of the package. There are also several free products that can perform as good a job as the full retail products. These are available as downloads from internet sites. "How come they are free?" you ask. Well, they are free because the providers hope that you might purchase a more fully featured product from them!
Anti-virus software
This checks your hard disk for viruses, worms and Trojans. It also checks incoming email attachments for virus patterns and will block attachments from coming through that may be infected.
Example free product: AVG. This product is easily downloaded and has frequent updates, often daily. You can set these up to take place automatically at a certain time each day, assuming your PC is logged on to the Internet, or you can perform a manual update when you remember to. (On a broadband connection, updates take a few seconds.). The AVG software will spot viruses as they come in to your system, and will check all email attachments. You can also run it to perform detection on your PC's disk drives and memory.
Firewall
A firewall protects your PC from hackers, only allowing the things you want to go through from the Web to your PC - and programs going out from your PC too (perhaps trying to obtain automatic updates, for example.)
Example free product: ZoneAlarm
Anti-Spyware
This type of software will scan your hard disk and detect any spyware programs which may be hiding on your PC, either removing them or quarantining them. Example free products: ZoneAlarm Spyware scanner or Ad-aware
There are also lots of other free anti-Spyware software is available via the PC World website. Go to the Privacy and Security link on this site:
Disclaimer: Using the information contained in this article cannot guarantee that your PC will stay free from infection
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