Malware Trojan Viruses

If you’ve ever seen any information on protecting your computer from outside threats, you may have heard terms like malware, Trojan, or virus. If you’re not an experienced computer user, or are an experienced computer user who hasn’t had to worry too much about these types of threats, you may be wondering what a malware Trojan is, or how a spyware virus works. It is important that you know these things so that you can protect your computer and identity, so here is a simple breakdown.

The Malware Trojan Connection

First, it’s important to realize that there is no such thing as a malware Trojan; the term is redundant. All Trojans, or, more properly, Trojan Horses, are a type of virus, and all viruses are a type of malware. If you are referring to a Trojan, it is understood that you are referring to a type of malware.

What Is a Trojan Horse Virus?

A Trojan Horse virus, also known as a Trojan, is a type of program that hides in a beneficial looking program, much like the enemy Greeks hid in a giant horse offering that looked like a gift to the Trojans during the Trojan War. Once you download the beneficial program onto your computer, you’ve also downloaded the Trojan, which can do all kinds of damage to your computer.

What Is Malware?

Malware is any malicious software; that is to say, any software program that, when installed on your computer, does things that you do not want it to do. This can include viruses that crash your computer or send offensive emails to your friends, but it can also include things like adware and spyware.

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is a type of malware that usually acts according to the Trojan principle. It hides inside a beneficial or harmless looking program and then activates. What makes spyware so insidious is that it usually activates quietly so that you don’t know that it is working. However, what it is actually doing is broadcasting private information about you to a third party over the Internet, revealing anything from your shopping or web surfing practices to user names, passwords, and account numbers.

Dangers of and Solutions to Spyware

The main danger of spyware is identity theft. Not all spyware is used for this purpose, but if the wrong people get your personal info, they may use it to run up large credit card bills or even commit crimes in your name. By the time you find out, major damage may have been done. The best way to defend yourself and your computer is to stop spyware in its tracks. A program like Anti-Spyware for Dummies can locate spyware on your computer for free. Download it and use it to get the peace of mind of knowing your computer is safe, or at least knowing the exact threats your computer is facing. If the program does reveal serious threats, you can purchase a license and download the full anti-spyware program. The software can then eliminate this spyware and other malicious software so that you can continue computing and web surfing in relative safety.