Malware is the short name for malicious software that can be a file or a code, delivered commonly through a network. Malware is often spread to infect a machine and let a hacker gain remote access to it. This purpose can be to steal confidential data, investigate the local network you are using or send spam to your contacts. It can be spread even when the computer is not sharing a network. Here are the common cyber threats that you may have heard about. They all belong to the vicious malware family. For those who choose the Norton antivirus to fight the following cyber monsters, connect with Norton support live chat to scan your laptop for a variety of threats and viruses.
Worms – A computer program that enters an operating system through self-replication, intending to spread malicious code. Worms then use the network to send copies to other computers of the original code, consuming bandwidth, slowing the system down. They can cause other harms like delete files, send documents through emails and/or install backdoors that can help hackers take remote access of the computer.
Viruses – A malicious code that can replicate itself and spread from one device to another, while causing harm to the computer operations. It can also corrupt or delete data on the computer or with an email program, spread the virus across all your contacts. At its worst, it can wipe off the hard disk completely. People, who use the competent Norton antivirus, can try the Norton antivirus contact number to check for latest antivirus versions and install latest updates.
Trojans – Unlike viruses or worms, Trojans do not cause any direct damage to your computer operations. Instead of damaging or deleting files, their only motive is to install a backdoor gateway for hackers or malicious software to access your system unauthorized and steal valuable and confidential data.
Bots – Bots (short for robots) can have good or malicious intent. The malicious ones will often access networks through back doors that the viruses and worms install. They will often automate certain tasks and provide services like humans do. Bots like web crawlers are used to gather information. Automatic interaction through instant messaging, interacting dynamically with websites, they find out information.
Adware – Short for advertising malware, adware uses the same programming language that authentic websites and services use. Marked by continuous pop ups, they monitor your online activity to determine what kind of ads it will feature. When you download these advertisements, they use up your mobile data allowance. And running these advertisements can well slow down your computer.
Spyware – While adware is a notorious kind of spyware, the spyware family also includes tracking cookies, system monitors and Trojans. It is used to monitor what a user does on the computer, track and store all activities and serve ads based on that. Changing computer settings, they can cause slow internet connection and changes in browser or software setting without permission.
Ransomware – Spread commonly through emails, this malicious software locks and encrypts the files on your computer, asking for 'ransom' money for you to get your files back. There are some ransomware that can lock the system down or send nonstop pop-ups that are enough to stop you from working.
Spams – Flooding hundreds or thousands of users with the same email is known as spamming. It is done to advertise or promote products. They can also introduce viruses or Trojans to your system, as soon as you click on such emails.
Malware can cause a variety of problems to your computer. It can suddenly crash, reboot or slow down, leaving you wondering what just happened. Worms slow down the computer. More scarily, your computer can send a text log to your hacker time to time that helps them find out keywords to your email or bank accounts. Norton support is available 24 into 7 to help you troubleshoot issues and resolve error messages that come in the way of installing their Norton antivirus.