Re: Malware

eager wrote:
My friend's computer, running XP Media Centre 2002, was infected with Malware, viruses, and Trojan horses
His Norton had expired long time ago. I downloaded and installed Antivir, the free version, did a system recovery and free online scanning using Trend Micro HouseCall.

I also suggested my friend to take his computer to a computer store to format the HDD and re-install windows, because he did not have a winXP CD. Probably he did not get a CD when he purchased his computer.

I could not get to start his PC in safe mode either ....

I am trying to find some info regarding what is a malware, how does it damage the computer and what are the symptoms?
What is the difference between the malware and the viruses?

viruses are a type of malware... malware is an umbrella term that basically means malicious software - it covers just about everything...

Wikipedia:

Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a portmanteau of the words "malicious" and "software". The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

I know that Trojan horses are kind of spyware and do not damage the computer, worms are dangerous for networks rather than for a stand-alone PC, etc.

actually, only some types of trojan horse program are spyware... some just destroy data, some show ads, etc... the essence of a trojan horse is that it appears to be something good (or at least benign) but is actually something bad... the way in which it's bad isn't specified and could be anything...

also, worms can be a problem for stand-alone pc's as well, depending on the worm...

I am also trying to understand the difference between access deny, delete and move to quarantine options.

moving to quarantine is usually the safest option because it means you still have the file (which you wouldn't if you chose the delete option) in case the scanner was issuing a false alarm when it triggered on the file... not sure about access deny - it could mean that you're simply denied access to the file, but if the anti-virus became disabled for any reason there wouldn't necessarily be anything left to stop you from running the suspect file (unless you also run other types of security software)...

--
"it's not the right time to be sober
now the idiots have taken over
spreading like a social cancer,
is there an answer?"
.

Relevant Pages

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