What Are Trojan, Worms, and Virus Malware? Differences and Types of PC Infection

A very common question in many places is whether anti-malware software also protects against viruses and whether antivirus software can be sufficient against any kind of malware.

The term "malware" is short for "software malo igno", so with this word we tend to refer to every type of computer virus such as trojan, rootkit, or spyware.

To be precise, a virus is a type of malware and also abdominal pain is a type of disease so antimalware is also an anti-virus by definition.

Since there are different types of stomach ache, with different symptoms and causes, there are several categories of malware, and sometimes malware cannot even be a virus.

So let's see, for educational and prevention purposes, an easy and complete summary of how to identify the different types of malware to know if your computer is protected from each of these threats.

Before listing the different types of malware, trying to always remain more practical than theory, we see the difference between the terms "anti-virus" and "anti-malware, " which are often used confusingly.

The question is somewhat complicated because, nowadays, all of the most popular antivirus programs also protect against all types of malware but are always known as "antivirus", because commercially they have more grip.

Also, in some cases, some programs call themselves "anti-malware" even if they do not provide complete protection against all kinds of threats, but they only specialize in one category.

Knowing the types of malware and knowing the difference between Trojans, spyware, viruses, and worms, it is very important to make sure that the antivirus programs that you use or that you want to download or purchase protect against all types of infections or if it only specializes in some.

In this way, by reading the details of the various programs related to the available protection, everyone will be able to answer questions such as: " I have an antivirus program for Avast, Spybot, and Malwarebytes, am I protected? "

According to the definitions specified by Emsisoft, malware can be :

1) The virus

A computer virus attacks the program or application code and automatically copies itself to spread using that application.

The name is similar to its dynamic name: a computer virus not only makes the program an unusable attack, but it also runs in the background (hiding) by performing malicious tasks.

Regarding viruses that I wrote in the past about the most dangerous types of computer viruses, the difference between Trojan and Worm viruses is fully explained.

2) Trojan Horse / Trojan Horse

A trojan is a type of malware that disguises itself as a useful program.

The user then runs a Trojan horse program on a normal program, giving him complete control over the computer and making it capable of inflicting damage.

3) a worm

Worms are malicious programs that are developed to spread as quickly as possible after infecting your computer.

Unlike viruses, it does not use the presence of other software to proliferate but rather exploits storage devices such as USB sticks, emails, or operating system vulnerabilities.

Their proliferation slows down the performance of computers and networks, spreads data outside, and can cause problems with the overall performance of the computer.

4) Keylogger

A keylogger is often brought in by a worm or trojan horse and this program can "read" what is written on a computer keyboard, save it, and send it abroad.

KeyLogger is a program that allows hackers to steal passwords or other important data such as internet banking data.

On another page, you can try Keylogger for spying on a PC while in a specific article the best anti-keylogger software is listed.

5) Callers

Dialers are a relic of a bygone era when browsing the Internet with dial-up modems.

These viruses were able to generate automatically and without noticing phone numbers to contact external service providers.

Then, instead of calling on his private subscription, the victim might be connected to a Brazilian provider, thus receiving an expensive phone bill.

Callers have no effect on cable or ADSL connections and are a practical instinct.

6) Back door/bot

Typically, the backdoor is software that allows developers to access personal computers and all of their functions.

Backdoors are often installed after the Trojan horse is executed.

The infected computer becomes part of the botnet or computer network that the hacker uses for his purposes.

Cryptic networks can be used for illegal purposes, sending spam, sending cyber-attacks, etc., so the victim finds himself, without his knowledge, performing dangerous illegal acts and are pursued by the law.

In my post on examining anti-robots and how Ddos attacks occur, I explain that in the world thousands of computers are part of this botnet and that is being used remotely by hackers for their own purposes.

7) Exploitation

Exploits are used to systematically exploit vulnerabilities in a computer program (such as Windows or Internet Explorer).

Whoever attacks the computer gets control or at least part of it.

8) Spyware

Spyware is programs that spy on a user's computer and Internet activity.

This type of malware collects data from users of personal computers without them noticing it.

9) Adware

Adware is a term that is derived from "advertisement" or advertisement.

Oftentimes, when you download a free program, it also shows ads and it is an advertising program.

The adware, in and of itself, is not dangerous and can be tolerated unless it results in displaying a lot of ads and inconveniencing the user in using the program. In these cases, it is detected by the anti-malware.

One very annoying kind of adware is some browser toolbar because it brings display ads without adding any useful functionality.

Then see the best anti-spyware and adware programs.

10) rootkit

The rootkit is a component of the operating system that should be loaded when the computer starts and requires full access.

If the malware is a rootkit, the problem is extremely dangerous as it loads itself and disguises itself in a legal process.

Most antivirus programs do not detect rootkits, so to protect yourself, you need to scan manually with other security software (see Hijackthis anti-rootkit protection posts and check the security of your PC and rootkit system).

Fortunately, rootkit malware is not installed per se but is executed by an exploit or trojan horse, so if you have an antivirus program with real-time protection, you should prevent it from running.

11) Rouge / Scaryware

" Rogue AntiSpyware " or " Rogue AntiVirus " are counterfeit software that pretends to be security software that takes a computer hostage.

They tell the user that their computer is full of viruses and they can only be removed by purchasing the program.

In more severe cases, the computer may stop working until purchased.

In another article, I mentioned an excellent program to eliminate fake antivirus from computers.

12) Ransomware

Ransomware-like malware is similar to Rogues: it encrypts users' personal data or blocks an entire computer by taking the computer hostage until the ransom is paid through an anonymous service.

Today there is hardly any catastrophic malware from the past like Blaster or Sasser that harmed an entire computer's functionality by forcing the user to coordinate.

Today, virus infiltration methods are mainly directed towards data theft through Trojans, Exploits, Keyloggers, and spyware that are installed by inexperienced users.

In recent years there has been an evolution in the way viruses are designed that do not spread more singly.

The typical case is the case of a computer attacked by a trojan horse, exploit, or worm that provides a backdoor installation to access the computer that installs a keylogger, rootkit, spyware, etc.

This will provide the hacker with full access to the personal computer that can read all passwords and other personal data, and he can use that computer as you wish.

With this explanation, it should be easier to understand if your computer is sufficiently protected against all threats or if you need to install additional protection.

Anti - full antivirus and updated such as Kaspersky programs and ESET and Avast, and Avira and AVG and MSE (see the best free anti-virus programs for 2012 and tools anti - malicious software such as HitmanPro and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware (listed in the public directory to remove any malicious programs from the device Computer ) General protection of the computer must be sufficient