Internet Security Overview

Sun Tzu once said: "Know your enemy." In the context of internet security, the enemies are various forms of malicious software. To better understand what dangers exist on the internet, it is beneficial to become acquainted with the following terms:

Adware

Adware, or advertising-supported software, is designed to disseminate unwelcomed advertising material. Adware is any software package which, upon installation, automatically plays, displays or downloads unsolicited advertising material to a computer.

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software consists of computer programs that aim to identify, defeat and eradicate computer viruses and other destructive software. Antivirus software scans a computer's files for viruses and monitors its behavior for signs of infection.

Computer Virus

A computer virus is a self-duplicating program which spreads from one computer to another, disrupting or damaging computer operations. Viruses multiply by inserting copies of themselves into executable code or documents. Worms and Trojan horses are primary examples of viruses.

Firewall

A firewall is a unit of hardware and/or software which operates in a network setting to block any communications forbidden by the security policy.

Freeware

Freeware is copyrighted computer software offered free of charge for an unlimited time. Freeware is the opposite of shareware, which requires payment after a trial period.

Hacker

In the context of internet security, a hacker is someone who uses unorthodox tactics, modified or created software/hardware, and thorough knowledge to manipulate systems and circumvent limitations.

Malware

"Malware" is a portmanteau of the words "malicious" and "software." It is a blanket term used to describe any software designed to breach and damage a computer system without the owner's knowledgeable consent. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, corrupt adware and other pernicious and unwanted software.

Spyware

Spyware refers to a class of malicious software intended to seize full or partial control of a computer's operation from its legitimate user. Spyware generally includes any software that subverts a computer's functions for the benefit of a third party.

Trojan Horse

A Trojan horse is a malicious program that infiltrates your PC guised as legitimate software. Like its mythological namesake, it is something insidious that is disguised as something benign and beneficial.

Worm

A worm is similar to a computer virus in that it is a self-replicating computer program. Unlike a virus, a worm is self-sustaining, and can duplicate and spread without attaching itself to another executable program. There is a defining difference between a worm and a virus: worms can propagate by themselves and viruses cannot. Worms are often designed to exploit the file transmission capabilities of most computers. They use networks to send copies of themselves to other systems; they do so without any external assistance.