| There are three common kinds of malware: worms, | | | | This worm was first released in January of 2004 and |
| viruses, and Trojans. Worms are the worst since | | | | was sent around by email that had a subject line that |
| they can function without human aid. Malware is | | | | said "andy; I'm just doing my job, nothing personal, |
| considered to be software that is malicious. | | | | sorry". |
| Like viruses, worms can copy themselves. However, | | | | The author of this worm was never found but some |
| unlike viruses, worms are entirely self contained. A | | | | people think that the worm was created to attack |
| virus needs to have a host program in order to | | | | SCO, a software company. The email was |
| spread while worms can propagate on their own. | | | | programmed to hit the website of SCO with loads of |
| Worms can be developed to do a lot of harm, such | | | | Internet traffic, eventually reaching the Internet and |
| as corrupting programs and deleting files. Most times | | | | causing a world wide Internet slow down. |
| worms will affect networks. A network uses routers | | | | For home computer users the payload of a worm is |
| and servers to function. The Internet is a huge | | | | the worst threat. A payload can be developed to |
| organism of computer networks that all cooperate | | | | manipulate your computer security by turning off |
| together. | | | | your antivirus or by opening up ports in your |
| A server is much like a PC but generally faster, with | | | | computer. A port is used by networking software to |
| more resources, and with more storage. Servers | | | | move data to and from the Internet. When the |
| "serve" other computers by making certain resources | | | | ports are open data theft can occur or your |
| available for more than one user. A router is a server | | | | computer files can be deleted. |
| that is specialized but just uses different operating | | | | De-Worming |
| systems and hardware to move traffic on the | | | | A firewall is one way that you can protect your |
| network. | | | | computer from worms. You can set up a firewall so |
| A worm can be put into a network and then can self | | | | that it will restrict traffic on the network as well as |
| copy. It's this copy behavior that can cause a lot of | | | | put a "cloak" over your computer. If no one can see |
| damage. Routers need to use memory and processor | | | | your computer it can't be used to spread worms |
| time and worms can cause them to become | | | | across the network. |
| overwhelmed. This can create a slow down on the | | | | Worms, however, can be spread through |
| network and instability. A virus doesn't need to delete | | | | attachments in email so you need to be careful when |
| files before it does harm since they can cause the | | | | you're opening mail from sources that you don't |
| central processing unit (cpu) to be always busy. This | | | | recognize or when you're getting files that are |
| will leave no other resources for the other programs | | | | unexpected. |
| that need to run. | | | | Even with all these precautions your computer can |
| A worm can carry what is called a "payload". A | | | | be infected. You might notice that your computer is |
| payload is other kinds of malware, such as backdoor | | | | acting slow or that it is rebooting itself. As well, your |
| programs and spyware. Spyware is used to track | | | | access to the Internet can become slow. |
| your activities on the computer while a backdoor is a | | | | If you think that your computer has a worm you |
| hidden point of access on your computer which can | | | | need to scan it with antivirus software. If the worm |
| be used by hackers to steal information from your | | | | can't be removed you can find worm removal |
| computer or to send spam. | | | | instructions on the Internet. |
| The worst worm ever was known as "MyDoom". | | | | |