security aspects

Malware is short for malicious software, meaning software that can harm the host computer.  These are three examples:

 

• Adware (short for advertising supported software) automatically delivers advertisements.  Pop up ads on websites are a common example. When adware is bundled with spyware, this makes it more dangerous than adware on its own.
• Spyware functions by spying on the user without their knowledge.  This can include activity monitoring, collecting keystrokes and data harvesting.
• Worms are the most common type of malware.  They typically cause harm to their host networks by consuming bandwidth and overloading web servers.    

The main motive behind malware and the reason it is so common, is to make a profit.   

Antivirus programs run in the background of computers, checking every file being opened.  The antivirus software work by checking the files contained within programs against known viruses, worms and other types of malware.  Antivirus programs also work by doing “heuristic” checking, checking programs for types of bad behaviour that may indicate a new, unknown type of virus.