Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Good Riddance to Malware By Jeremy P Stanfords

With the increase of the digital age, more computers utilize the internet than ever before, opening the way for malicious software or malware to infect them. One out of ten websites contain malicious codes, according to a recent study, with hackers constantly finding new ways to spread malware. While not all infections can leak or corrupt important user information, they can slow down infected computers and spread to other computers on the network. Malicious software continue to change, combating their way around firewalls and virus scanners, making it imperative to know proper malware removal tactics as any internet-enabled computer can be infected by them.


Removal often proves irksome with the many types of malicious software from viruses to Trojans. There are many databases available on the internet, including computer topic forums, which catalog threats and detail the best means of removing them. These databases aid with removal especially when some infections such as Trojans and rootkits may require manual deletion by the administrator of the computer, which can be tricky for those not as experienced. The databases also highlight the severity of infections present on a computer, and what to expect from them.

However, anti-malware programs handle most removal. Unlike regular virus protection software, these programs are created for the sole purpose of removing malware; they scan the content of the computer's registry, operating system files, and program files where malicious programs often hide. When their scan is complete, these programs compose a list of infected files and allow the user to determine which threats to remove, providing easy removal for those uncomfortable with trying to remove the infectious files themselves. Most purchased programs also come with real time protection that guards against the installation of such malicious programs, and some even offer 24-hour support from the company. While an easy means for stopping erroneous computer behavior, some programs may leave bits of the malicious program behind though now disabled. Disabled malicious programs may require manual removal, or the use of another program. For this reason, research is imperative before installing anti-malware software to better understand the capabilities of each program.

Proper website security prevents such infections, through staying up to date on the latest versions of important applications, maintaining strong passwords, and being mindful of file permissions. Being aware of links and website hosts' policies and security options will go a long way to prevent infections on computers and websites. Malware removal and website security continue to be an evolving subject matter as hackers continue to grow more creative to earn their income.

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