Computer viruses worms and trojan horses

Virus replicates itself. Worms are also replicates itself. But Trojan horse does not replicate itself. Like worms, Trojan horse can also be controlled by remote. Spreading rate of viruses are moderate. While spreading rate of worms are faster than virus and Trojan horse. And spreading rate of Trojan horse is slow in comparison of both virus and worms. The main objective of virus to modify the information.

The main objective of worms to eat the system resources. The main objective of Trojan horse to steal the information. Viruses are executed via executable files. Worms are executed via weaknesses in system. Trojan horse executes through a program and interprets as utility software. Previous Difference between Virus and Trojan Horse.

Next Viruses - From Newbie to pro. Because the term Malware is so broad it is hard to cite one specific source for the most infections.

A Worm or Computer Worm is a self-replicating piece of computer code that uses a computer network to spread copies of itself to the other nodes on the network.

Unlike the Virus a Worm can accomplish this without any intervention or help from the user. Also unlike a Computer Virus the Worm does not have to attach itself to an existing computer program or file.

In some cases the payload allows the Worm to send documents through the email accounts of the infected system attaching itself and its payload to the email as an attachment. When the unsuspecting recipient of the email opens the attachment the process starts again. These nefarious activities can include but certainly are not limited to:. Blended threats are considered to be the worst risk to security since the inception of viruses, as most blended threats also require no human intervention to propagate.

Fast Facts: Sophisticated, bundles aspects of viruses, worms and Trojan horses, most require no human action. The first step in protecting your computer from any malicious there is to ensure that your operating system OS is up-to-date. This is essential if you are running a Microsoft Windows OS. Secondly, you need to have anti-virus software installed on your system and ensure you download updates frequently to ensure your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the capability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet, and you also need to run full disk scans periodically. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer.

You should also install a firewall. A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer. A firewall can be either hardware or software. Hardware firewalls provide a strong degree of protection from most forms of attack coming from the outside world and can be purchased as a stand-alone product or in broadband routers.

Unfortunately, when battling viruses, worms and Trojans, a hardware firewall may be less effective than a software firewall, as it could possibly ignore embedded worms in out going e-mails and see this as regular network traffic. For individual home users, the most popular firewall choice is a software firewall. A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and usually provides additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms.

The downside to software firewalls is that they will only protect the computer they are installed on, not a network. It is important to remember that on its own a firewall is not going to rid you of your computer virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and a good anti-virus scanning software, it will add some extra security and protection for your computer or network.

Did You Know CodeRed was processed in memory — not on a hard disk — allowing it to slip past some anti-virus products. Based in Nova Scotia, Vangie Beal is has been writing about technology for more than a decade.

She is a frequent contributor to EcommerceGuide and managing editor at Webopedia. You can tweet her online AuroraGG.

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