Malware - What is it?
Malware is short for MALicious softWARE. All computers use software to run. Software can be divided into three categories: Operating System software, such as Windows, Mac OS X, Unix or Linux, Application software, such as Word, Firefox, or games, and Malware, which is any software that is installed without the users knowledge for the purpose of destruction or stealth processes.
Virus Removal
Virus is the most common term for malware, although viruses are no longer the most common type of malware. Historically, a virus' main function is to disable a computer, but not before it can propagate itself to other computers. Viruses used to spread through infected floppy disks, then later through email attachments. Now viruses are embedded into web pages or emails that take on the characteristics of web pages. All computers need to have an antivirus (AV) program installed to protect from such threats. However, an AV program cannot be proactive in preventing virus infection. AV software depends on virus definition updates that can detect viruses before they can install themselves onto the computer hard drive. AV software is useless without constant updating, and even then unknown viruses with no fingerprint can slip through AV software and infect a computer or even entire networks.A virus is usually packaged with a worm. A worm is a piece of software whose sole purpose is to infect as many computers as possible. The worm usually has a built in email program that will distribute itself to every email address in the infected computers address book. When a recipient included in the address book mailing receives the email, and it looks to be from a trusted source, the unknowing user will open the email and the worm will infect that computer and the process continues. Such infamous uses of worms include the I Love You and Melissa viruses of the early 2000's.
Viruses are also known as Trojan Horses. A trojan horse looks harmless, as it did to the inhabitants of the city of Troy, but danger lurks inside. Most free software on the Internet is usually bundled with a Trojan Horse. The "harmless" software, such as an attractive screensaver or cute mouse pointer, entices the user to install the software, but once installed it unleashes its destructive alternate programming.
Once a virus has infected a computer, the AV software cannot remove it. AV software is good for preventing viruses, but will not remove a virus once it has taken root. Allnighter Designs can remove a virus once it has infected a computer. Most times, there are tools distributed by the AV companies that can remove a virus, but in extreme cases, computer data will have to be backed up to removable media, and the computer restored to factory condition. All programs and settings will have to be reinstalled, then the data restored. This can often be a painstaking process, but when complete, the computer will run as good as, if not better, than it did before the infection.