...spread from one computer to another. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer. As stated above, the term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware (malicious software). Malware includes computer viruses, computer worms, Trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware and other malicious and unwanted software, including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to spread itself automatically to other computers through networks, while a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but hides malicious functions. A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is malicious software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's permission or approval. It appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install but instead, it facilitates unauthorized access of the user's computer system. On the other hand, a computer worm is a self-reproductive malware computer program. It uses a computer network to send copies of itself to other computers on the network and it may do so without any user intervention. This is due to security shortcomings on the target computer. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms may cause some harm to the network,...
Words: 341 - Pages: 2
...Security: Worms and viruses Nowadays, in the domain of computer sciences, there is a big problem to face: Worms and viruses. Being in the technology is a good thing, but being n the technology without knowing how to avoid the consequences of the technology is worse. Viruses and worms affect the computer and damage, or in other words corrupt some files that are important to the good functioning of the computer. Viruses have many ways of penetration that computers user ignore, and that’s what makes the damage even more severe. First of all, let’s start by defining a viruses and a worm. A virus is a malware program (not a computer program), that auto run, and replicates by adding copies of their code into other computer program, any other type of data that it comes across. This will create an overall corruption of your database and your computer. In reality, there are three categories of computer infections malwares and we defined the first one which is viruses. The two second malwares are worms and Trojan horses. In a questions of codes or designs they are all similar, but the differences come in the way these three categories act. Contrarily to viruses that need a human action to spread, such as sharing files, running an infected program, and so on, worms have the ability to auto spread themselves, which mean that they don’t require the action of a human. They can travel by themselves by taking advantages on files and other information’s that runs through the system. A Trojan horse...
Words: 1076 - Pages: 5
...spyware programs that do not have a reproductive ability. Malware includes computer viruses, computer worms, Trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware and other malicious or unwanted software, including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to spread itself automatically to other computers through networks, while a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but hides malicious functions. Worms and Trojan horses, like viruses, may harm a computer system's data or performance. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the computer user, but many are surreptitious or simply do nothing to call attention to themselves. Some viruses do nothing beyond reproducing themselves. An example of a virus which is not a malware, but is putatively benevolent, is Fred Cohen's compression virus.[2] However, antivirus professionals do not accept the concept of benevolent viruses, as any desired function can be implemented without involving a virus (automatic compression, for instance, is available under the Windows operating system at the choice of the user). Any virus will by definition make unauthorised changes to a computer, which is undesirable even if no damage is done or intended. On page one of Dr Solomon's Virus Encyclopaedia, the undesirability of viruses, even those that do nothing but reproduce, is thoroughly explained.[1]...
Words: 271 - Pages: 2
...A Brief History “In 1949, Von Neumann established the Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, where he presented for the first time the possibility of developing small replicating programs able to control other programs with a similar structure In 1959, in Bell Computer’s laboratories, three young programmers: Robert Thomas Morris, Douglas Mcllroy and Victor Vysottsky created a game called CoreWar, based on the theory of Von Neumann and in which programs fought between each other, trying to occupy as much memory as possible and eliminating opposing programs. This game is considered the precursor to computer viruses. In 1972, Robert Thomas Morris created the first virus as such: Creeper, which could infect IBM 360 on the ARPANET (the predecessor of the Internet) and show an on-screen message saying “I’m the creeper, catch me if you can”. To eliminate it, a virus called Reaper was created to search for it and destroy it”…………………...PANDA SECURITY ( 2011) Malware Overview Retrieved from http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS391US392&q=virus+clipart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nOx7TfqZEoXorAGvu5zCBQ&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1174&bih=463 Malicious software, better known as Malware, is the most sophisticated type of threat to a computer system. Malware is simply code that is designed with purpose and intent to destroy, steal, disrupt or damage someone’s data, computer system or network. Malware is software that is written...
Words: 3874 - Pages: 16
...Today, many people rely on computers to do homework, work, and create or store useful information. Therefore, it's important for the information to be stored and kept properly. It's also extremely important to protect computers from data loss, misuse and abuse. For example, businesses need to keep their information secure and shielded from hackers. Home users also need to ensure their credit card numbers are secure when participating in online transactions. A computer security risk is any action that could cause loss of information to software, data, processing incompatibilities or damage to computer hardware. An intentional breach in computer security is known as a computer crime, which is slightly different from a cybercrime. A cybercrime is known as illegal acts based on the Internet and is one of the FBI's top priorities. There are several distinct categories for people that perpetrate cybercrimes, and they are: hacker, cracker, cyberterrorist, cyberextortionist, unethical employee, script kiddie and corporate spy. A hacker is defined as someone who accesses a computer or computer network unlawfully. They often claim that they do this to find leaks in the security of a network. The term cracker refers to someone intentionally accessing a computer or computer network with malice in mind. They access computers with the intention of destroying or stealing information. Both crackers and hackers are having advanced network skills. A cyberterrorist is someone who uses a computer...
Words: 1026 - Pages: 5
...EVREN KUCUKKAYA E-COMMERCE SEMINAR Elias A. Hadzilias, PhD NTUA Assignment: On-line security: attacks and solutions 2012 ISG – INTERNATIONAL MBA Table of Context 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 3 2. MAIN TYPES OF MALWARE ................................................................................................................. 4 2.1. Computer Viruses ............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1. Computer Worms ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.3. Trojan Horses.................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4. Spyware ............................................................................................................................................ 6 2.5. Backdoor........................................................................................................................................... 6 2.6. Spams ............................................................................................................................................... 7 2.7. Keyloggers ....................................................................................................
Words: 5692 - Pages: 23
...A brief history of viruses, worms and Trojans The 20th birthday of the first officially announced virus has just passed. Many other "milestones" in the development of viruses, worms and Trojans are contained in the following summary. 1949 The theoretical preliminary work on computer viruses goes back as far as 1949. John von Neumann (1903-1957) developed the theory of self-reproducing automatons. However the details of the technical implementation were not conceivable at this time. 1970er In Core Wars programs written in so-called Redcode are at war with each other. They fight to survive in the memory area. So-called impulses spread through memory and delete addresses at random. There were also a few versions which could copy themselves. This is where the roots of computer viruses lie. 1981 Professor Leonard M. Adleman employs the term "computer virus" for the first time in conversation with Fred Cohen. 1982 The first viruses for Apple II computers are exchanged within a small circle via diskette. Due to an error, the virus caused program crashes. This error was rectified in later versions.. As the first "in the wild" Apple / DOS 3.3 virus, the "Elk Cloner" virus plagues users with spoonerisms, inverted or false displays and clicking noises. It spread via diskettes, which with other operating systems - probably inadvertently - were made unusable. In the Xerox Alto Research Centre, Jon Hepps and John Shock program the first worms. They are used for...
Words: 1051 - Pages: 5
...AVG AntiVirus Business Edition to identify the viruses, worms, Trojans, malware, or other malicious software found on a compromised Windows machine. You completed a scan of the entire computer, learned how to exclude folders to avoid false positives, and understood the importance of maintaining the signatures database. You discovered the difference between a full computer scan and a Resident Shield scan. Finally, you also permanently removed the malware identified by the antivirus software and scheduled the scan to run automatically. Lab Assessment Questions & Answers 1. Why is it recommended to update the antivirus software’s signature database before performing an antivirus scan on your computer? updating the antivirus software with the latest virus definitions ensures the software has the latest information to identify and quarantine threats. 2. What are typical indicators that your computer system is compromised? slow response opening, operating system not booting up correctly or no functioning normally, event logs reporting numerous unusual alerts. 3. Where does AVG AntiVirus Business Edition place viruses, Trojans, worms, and other malicious software when it finds them? It places the virus in a Virus Vault which is a quarantine area where all removed files, viruses go. . 4. What other viruses, Trojans, worms, or malicious software were identified and quarantined by AVG within the Virus Vault? Exploit, trojan horse dropper...
Words: 291 - Pages: 2
...EVREN KUCUKKAYA E-COMMERCE SEMINAR Elias A. Hadzilias, PhD NTUA Assignment: On-line security: attacks and solutions 2012 ISG – INTERNATIONAL MBA Table of Context 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 3 2. MAIN TYPES OF MALWARE ................................................................................................................. 4 2.1. Computer Viruses ............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1. Computer Worms ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.3. Trojan Horses.................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4. Spyware ............................................................................................................................................ 6 2.5. Backdoor........................................................................................................................................... 6 2.6. Spams ............................................................................................................................................... 7 2.7. Keyloggers ....................................................................................................
Words: 5692 - Pages: 23
... Bot, Bug, Ransomware, Rootkit, Spyware, Trojan Horse, Virus, and Worm. Each one of these types of malware has a specific function and effect on the end user’s computer system. Adware is an application that usually comes bundled with an application downloaded from the internet, in which it monitors the internet activity and provides advertisement according to the internet browsing behaviors. Bots are programs designed to run automated tasks. Bots gain popularity in being used on systems to run DDoS attacks. Bugs are flaws within the applications that an attacker can take advantage to exploit the computer system. Ransomware is an application that infects the computer system and encrypts files and holds the system hostage until the end user pays a fee for the unlocking mechanism. Rootkit is a malicious piece of software that is very stealth and allows the attacker to collect all kinds of information from the system and even remote control it. Spyware is related to Adware in which spies on the user’s activity without their knowledge and collects data such as keystrokes, logins, monitoring internet activity, etc. Trojan Horse is an application that disguises itself as something safe and known to the user and in reality contains a malicious application when installed. A Virus is a type of malware that has the ability to copying itself by attaching or modifying an existing executable file in the computer system. Worms are similar to viruses, the only difference is that they are autonomous...
Words: 1143 - Pages: 5
...security. Most people are willing to give full access to their computers to people that they think are trustworthy. It is easy for a trusted friend to steal your personal information or mistakenly download a virus, Trojan horse, or worm. The best known way of attacking a system is with a computer virus. A computer virus attaches itself to a program or file allowing it to spread to every computer it encounters. Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it actually cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. (The Difference Between a Computer Virus, Worm and Trojan Horse, 2011) One of the most common ways an intruder use to invade your home computer is a Trojan horse program. A Trojan horse program will be hidden, in what appears to be legitimate software or files from a legitimate source. The effects of a Trojan horse vary from something annoying like adding icons to your desktop. It can be more malicious and give the intruder access to your computer and your personal information. Another method used by hackers is a computer Worm. Worms are typically installed when a person opens an infected email attachment or a message that contains executable scripts. Computer worms spread from one computer to another, creating holes...
Words: 397 - Pages: 2
...Computer Viruses While technology advances have brought many benefits to society there have also been technological abuses (1). In today’s generation, with the help of the Internet and the rapid growth of the personal computer in the average household, we are able to talk to and share information with people from all sides of the globe (2). Unfortunately this transformation of data has opened the doors for a new era of high tech crime – the computer virus. The Internet is now a complex gateway for transgression and immoral activities where often the perpetrators of the crime are far removed from the scene of the criminal activity and hidden behind a maze of double speak (3). Computer viruses are enigmatic and grab our attention. They move silently from computer to computer under a shroud of secrecy and deceit. If they are not caught in time, these malicious programs can erase all the data off a hard drive, rearrange numbers in a spreadsheet file, or practically anything else a clever programmer can devise. A computer virus is a potentially dangerous computer program designed with the intent of obliterating or corrupting data that it comes into contact with. Computer viruses are mysteriously hidden beneath seemingly innocuous programs, which explains the reason for their effective dissemination across the Internet. These malicious computer programs are designed to replicate themselves or insert copies of themselves into other programs when executed within the infected program...
Words: 2468 - Pages: 10
...Defense, Second Edition 2 Malicious Software (Malware) • Network attacks prevent a business from operating – Malicious software (malware) • Virus • Worm • Trojan program – Goals • • • • Destroy data Corrupt data Shutdown a network or system Make money 3 Hands-On Ethical Hacking and Network Defense, Second Edition Viruses • Virus attaches itself to a file or program – Needs host to replicate – Does not stand on its own – No foolproof prevention method • Antivirus programs – Detection based on virus signatures • Signatures are kept in virus signature file • Must update periodically • Some offer automatic update feature Hands-On Ethical Hacking and Network Defense, Second Edition 4 Table 3-1 Common computer viruses Hands-On Ethical Hacking and Network Defense, Second Edition 5 Viruses (cont’d.) • Encoding using base 64 – – – – – – – – Typically used to reduce size of e-mail attachments Also, used to encrypt (hide) suspicious code. Represents zero to 63 using six bits A is 000000… Z is 011001 Create groups of four characters Convert decimal value of each letter to binary Rewrite as three groups of eight bits Convert binary into decimal 6 • Converting base-64 strings to decimal equivalent Hands-On Ethical Hacking and Network Defense, Second Edition Hands-On Ethical Hacking and Network Defense, Second Edition 7 Viruses (cont’d.) • Base-64 decoders – Available for purchase • Shell – Executable piece...
Words: 1394 - Pages: 6
...crime encompasses a broad range of activities. Generally, however, it may be divided into two categories: (1) crimes that target computers directly; (2) crimes facilitated by computer networks or devices, the primary target of which is independent of the computer network or device.[citation needed] Crimes that primarily target computer networks or devices include: Computer viruses Denial-of-service attacks Malware (malicious code) Crimes that use computer networks or devices to advance other ends include: Cyberstalking Fraud and identity theft Information warfare Phishing scams Malware From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Beast, a Windows-based backdoorTrojan horse. Malware, short for malicious software, is software used or created to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software.[1] 'Malware' is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software.[2] Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, adware, and other malicious programs. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, as in the legal codes of several U.S. states.[3][4] Malware is not the same as defective software, which is software that has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs that were not noticed before release. However, some malware is disguised as genuine software...
Words: 3033 - Pages: 13
...difference between the virus, worm, and Trojan horse? 2. How would you protect your firm against a Denial of Service (DoS) attack? 3. Explain why an e-commerce site might not want to report being target of cybercrimals? 4. Is a computer with anti-virus software protected from viruses? Why or why bother? 5. Why the value of stolen information which prices range in underground marketplace is so wide? Answer: 1. The difference between the virus, worm, and Trojan horse Viruses, Worms, and Trojan are all part of a class of software called malware. Malware or malicious code (malcode) is short for malicious software. It is code or software that is specifically designed to damage, disrupt, steal, or in general inflict some other “bad” or illegitimate action on data, hosts, or networks. There are many different classes of malware that have varying ways of infecting systems and propagating themselves. Malware can infect systems by being bundled with other programs or attached as macros to files. Others are installed by exploiting a known vulnerability in an operating system (OS), network device, or other software, such as a hole in a browser that only requires users to visit a website to infect their computers. The vast majority, however, are installed by some action from a user, such as clicking an e-mail attachment or downloading a file from the Internet. Some of the more commonly known types of malware are viruses, worms, Trojans, bots, back doors, spyware...
Words: 5058 - Pages: 21
