What malicious program transfers from one computer to another computer by any type of means?

toreplicateitselfandtransferfromonecomputertoanother(internet,localnetworks,FDs,CDs,etc.)

Macro Virus: These type of virus infects word, excel, PowerPoint, access and other data files. Once infected repairing of these files is very much difficult.

Master boot record files: MBR viruses are memory-resident viruses and copy itself to the first sector of a storage device which is used for partition tables or OS loading programs .A MBR virus will infect this particular area of Storage device instead of normal files. The easiest way to remove a MBR virus is to clean the MBR area,

Boot sector virus: Boot sector virus infects the boot sector of a HDD or FDD. These are also memory resident in nature. As soon as the computer starts it gets infected from the boot sector.  Cleaning this type of virus is very difficult.

Multipartite virus: A hybrid of Boot and Program/file viruses. They infect program files and when the infected program is executed, these viruses infect the boot record. When you boot the computer next time the virus from the boot record loads in memory and then start infecting other program files on disk

Polymorphic viruses: A virus that can encrypt its code in different ways so that it appears differently in each infection. These viruses are more difficult to detect.

Stealth viruses: These types of viruses use different kind of techniques to avoid detection. They either redirect the disk head to read another sector instead of the one in which they reside or they may alter the reading of the infected file’s size shown in the directory listing. For example, the Whale virus adds 9216 bytes to an infected file; then the virus subtracts the same number of bytes (9216) from the size given in the directory.

Malware, being one of the common causes of data breaches, is something every IT and security expert should be concerned about. It’s a fact that many businesses will install anti-virus and forget about it, not knowing that malware can still bypass anti-virus software and firewalls.

The truth is, no anti-virus or anti-malware will protect you from ALL malware. If an infection slips through, it means that your confidential information will be put at risk.

With that being said, it’s important to know the different types of malware and how to prevent them. Keep reading to learn more.

What malicious program transfers from one computer to another computer by any type of means?
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What is malware?

Malware is an umbrella term for any piece of software that has malicious intent. There are several types of malware and each of them has a unique way of infiltrating your computer which may include attempts at gaining unauthorized control of your computer systems, stealing your personal information, encrypting your important files, or causing other harm to your computers. Sometimes the damage can be irrevocable.

Where does malware come from?

Some of the most common sources of malware are email attachments, malicious websites, torrents, and shared networks.

Phishing – Emails can be disguised to be coming from a fraudulent company for the sole purpose of getting you to reveal personal information

Malicious Websites – Some websites may attempt to install malware onto your computer, usually through popups or malicious links

Torrents – Files shared through BitTorrents are generally unsafe because you never know what to expect until they’re downloaded

Shared Networks – A malware-infected computer on the same shared network may spread malware onto your computer

7 Common Types of Malware

What malicious program transfers from one computer to another computer by any type of means?

Here’s a list of the common types of malware and their malicious intent:

1. Trojans

A Trojan (or Trojan Horse) disguises itself as legitimate software with the purpose of tricking you into executing malicious software on your computer.

2. Spyware

Spyware invades your computer and attempts to steal your personal information such as credit card or banking information, web browsing data, and passwords to various accounts.

3. Adware

Adware is unwanted software that displays advertisements on your screen. Adware collects personal information from you to serve you with more personalized ads.

4. Rootkits

Rootkits enable unauthorized users to gain access to your computer without being detected.

5. Ransomware

Ransomware is designed to encrypt your files and block access to them until a ransom is paid.

6. Worms

A worm replicates itself by infecting other computers that are on the same network. They’re designed to consume bandwidth and interrupt networks.

7. Keyloggers

Keyloggers keep track of your keystrokes on your keyboard and record them on a log. This information is used to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.

How to prevent malware

Since malware is so widespread and hundreds of thousands of new malicious files are reported every day, there’s no single solution that will prevent all malware. For this reason, we recommend using multiple solutions to add more layers of protection to your computers.

Use Software

Here is a list of some malware prevention software we recommend:

  • BitDefender – BitDefender is a well-rounded anti-virus solution that is currently protecting over 500 million users worldwide. It offers unparalleled endpoint protection and virus protection.  Free BitDefender trial.
  • Malwarebytes – The most effective and widely-adopted anti-malware on the market. The scans are thorough and the program prevents you from executing malicious files and visiting malicious websites. Free Malwarebytes trial.
  • TitanFile – TitanFile is an easy-to-use, secure file-sharing platform that enables you to send and receive confidential files securely. TitanFile automatically scans the files for malware before they’re downloaded to your computer. Free TitanFile trial.
  • Spybots – Effectively protects you from spyware, protecting your private information and other data from being sent to third parties. Get access.

Be Cautious

A little common sense and caution can also prevent malware from infecting your computer. Here are some tips:

  • If an email looks suspicious or too good to be true, don’t open it
  • Don’t download files from non-reputable websites as they could contain malicious files
  • Don’t use your work laptop on public networks

Additional Tip: Always back up your files!

As mentioned earlier in this article, sometimes malware can cause irrevocable damage — such as file encryption and file loss. To save yourself a lot of trouble, it’s important to keep your files backed up so you can restore them in case something like this happens.

Malware

Malware refers to a group of computer programs designed to work against the requirements of a user’s computer for the purposes of causing harm. Those who spread malware are called “hackers.” There are several different classes of malware. Malware is a significant problem throughout the world resulting in billions of dollars in damages to individuals and businesses every year. Below is a summary of some of the most common forms of malware.

Viruses

These are computer programs that replicate and modify other programs by inserting code. Viruses typically target individual computers.

Worm

A worm is a malicious program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers, often in a single network. Worms target groups of connected computers on a network.

Trojan Horse

A Trojan horse is a malicious program designed to trick a user about its true intent. Trojan horses typically show up in e-mail attachments or drive-by downloads. They often create “backdoors” which allows the creator unauthorized access to a user’s computer.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts the files on a user’s computer so they are unreadable. These files can only be retrieved if the user agrees to pay a ransom (usually in Bitcoin) within a specified amount of time to obtain a decryption key. Decryption without the key is impossible.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malicious program covertly installed on a user’s computer to collect important information such as credit card numbers or passwords.

Scareware

Scareware is a type of malicious program designed to scare people into buying unwanted programs such as anti-virus software. Scareware typically comes in the form of warnings or alerts that the user’s computer is infected with a virus and the purchase of software is the only way to save the computer.