BitDefender
- Malware
- Software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system. The word comes from the words 'malicious' and 'software' put together.
It is a general term used to describe various unwanted computer programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses. Top
- Virus
- Computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the user's knowledge. A virus can only spread from one computer to another when its host is taken to the uninfected computer, for example by a user carrying it on a removable disk, or by the Internet. Top
- Trojan Horse
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History of Computer Viruses
A program called "Elk Cloner" is normally seen as the first computer virus. It was created by a high school student and put into a game as a joke. The virus was set to release the 50th time the game was played. Instead of the game, the screen displayed a poem about the virus. Learn more
- Program that installs malicious software while appearing completely innocent until excecuted. A Trojan Horse may come in the shape of interesting or useful programs, such as a weather alert or file sharing utilities. Top
Worm- Self-replicating computer program using a network to send copies of itself to other nodes. Unlike a virus, a worm doesn't need to attach itself to an existing program. Harms the entire network; not only specific files on a targeted computer. Top
Spyware- Computer software secretly installed on a computer to intercept or take control over the user's interaction with the computer. Goes well beyond simply monitoring user behavior. It may collect personal information, install software, etc. Top
Adware- Software with advertising functions integrated into or bundled with a program. Adware is often used as a way for a program to be provided for free and is therefore not necessarily bad. However, in some cases it may take on the form of spyware. Top
Antivirus- Software consisting of computer programs that attempt to identify, prevent, and eliminate computer viruses and other malware. This is normally done by scanning files to look for viruses matching definitions in a virus dictionary, or by identifying suspicious activity by computer programs. Top
Firewall- Hardware or software device that is set up to permit and deny data through a computer network that has different levels of trust. Typical examples are the Internet, which is a zone with no trust, and an internal network, which is a zone of higher trust. Top