Don’t be fooled: all computers no matter what the operating system or platform may be are susceptible to malware. If this were not so, computer companies would not constantly be providing security patches for their products.

Because of the threat of Malware, it is important to stay protected.

Malware is as portmanteau of “malicious” and “software”. Pretty much any software written with malicious intent can be called malware. Malware ranges from practical jokes to software that allows the user to access sensitive data such as credit card numbers and back accounts.

• Viruses are pieces of code that infect computers and do damage to the computers files and operating system files. Viruses usually infect existing files on a computer rather than being stand alone programs like Trojans and Worms.

• Trojans get there name from the Trojan Horse—which was a device the Trojans perceived as good, but was full of Greek warriors. Once inside the city, the Greeks came out, and it lead to the downfall of Troy. Like the Trojan horse, Trojans are programs that masquerade as something useful, but are really designed to do harm. One common type of Trojan is a program that says it will get rid of Trojans, yet is a Trojan itself.

• Worms are self-propagating programs that spread over networks (like the Internet) through file transfer systems such as email attachments, websites, instant messaging systems, and file sharing systems.

• Rootkits are programs that can come in the form of a Virus, Trojan, or Worm that gives an unauthorized user “root” or “administrator” access to a computer. With such access, a user can do practically anything he or she wants to do on that system.

• Adware is software that can come in the form of a Virus, Trojan, or Worm that tracks the browsing habits and keystrokes of users looking for keywords. The adware will then connect to a remote computer to download and display advertisement based on browsing habits and keywords.

Malware can be difficult to detect and even more difficult to remove. The best cure for Malware is prevention. Taking the necessary steps to protect your computer will help guard against malware.

One critical piece of software necessary to staying protected is Antivirus software. Antivirus software by name obviously protects against viruses, but most antivirus programs can protect against all the aforementioned types of malware. Commercial antivirus software is available from companies like McAfee and Symantec. There are also a number of free antivirus programs available for download from the ineternet, such as Avast! Antivirus, AVG, PC-Tool Antivirus, and ClamAV. Avast! and AVG offer free, comprehensive products to home based users . PC-Tools and Clam AV are not as comprehensive as AVG, McAffee. Symantec, or Avast!, but run well on older computers and older operating systems. You only need one virus detection suite installed on your computer. Check with each software distributor to read more about the features offered by each product.