Malware - Self Defense - Norton 360
Self Defense Against Malware
Malware is an umbrella term used to define any number of computer programs that are introduced to machines for the specific reason of causing damage. Malware can harm a computer's program, give bad guys entry to a computer, and may generally wreak havoc on a system. Fortunately, there are things computer users can do to defend against potentially devastating attacks. One of these things is to purchase software that will help combat malware. Norton 360 will protect a computer against all types of malware.
In order for holistic protection against malware to be fully appreciated, computer users do need to understand a bit about malware. When they know what to watch out for and how to defend, they can enjoy a high level of success in keeping harmful malware off their machines. In the worst case scenario, they'll have the tools in place, including Norton malware security software, to remove harmful files if they are introduced.
Understanding Malware
There are a number of different types of malware that computer users need to be mindful of. Each has its own mode of attack, but most do have the same basic intent - to cause trouble. Whether malware is designed to damage software or steal information, it is something well worth safeguarding a machine from.
Here are some of the most common types of malware that computers face:
- Viruses – This type of malware is designed to infect programs, or executable files. When the program that is infected is run, the computer virus will seek to spread to other executable files. While it is not always the case, viruses often have "payloads." A payload is a specific action the program seeks to perform, for example, deleting files.
- Worms – These are similar to viruses and may carry a payload, as well. Computer worms, however, are active and they seek to infect other computers over networks without needing other users to execute infected files.
- Trojan horses – Like the name implies, a Trojan Horse is a sneaky file that encourages computer users to download and execute. A seemingly harmless program, for example, is introduced on a machine. That program, like the Trojan horse of history, has malicious programming attached. Once executed, the malicious file is executed as well. This often involves the introduction of spyware and other malware onto a machine.
- Rootkits – This type of malware is designed to hide a malicious program from detection. Rootkit buries itself deep within the system and enables malicious processes to run without being seen. It may also infect multiple parts of the system to ensure its survival.
- Bots and key loggers – Bots are designed to enable the writers of malicious software to essentially take over a computer. Key logging programs transmit the user names and passwords of infected computers to the bad guys that created the malware.
There are a variety of other potential malware files that can also be introduced onto a machine. The key to defending against these types of attacks involves knowing how to prevent them in the first place. This often calls for a combination of proactive, self-performed measures and the use of special programming to defend against attacks. Sophisticated programs, such as Norton 360, can also help computer users remove malware if it has been introduced onto a machine.
Defending Against Attacks
Anyone who brings their computer online is technically vulnerable to malware attacks. It is also possible that shared files, emails and other downloads can introduce malware onto a machine. To defend against potential attacks, users can:
- Be very wary of downloads – Downloading files online calls for a certain amount of savvy to do so safely. Even still, any file or program download can potentially be hiding a malware program. To hedge the odds in a computer user's favor, it's best not to download anything from an unknown source. Make sure downloads come from reputable companies.
- Delete and avoid reading emails from unknown sources – Spam, phishing and other unwanted emails can pose a variety of problems. It is best to avoid them entirely by setting up spam settings on an email program and deleting the mail regularly. Even if spam doesn't involve malware directly, it might contain phishing links, which can still pose problems in the online world.
- Use virus protection – There are anti-virus packages that provide well-rounded defenses against a number of common online attacks. Using this type of software, along with a firewall, at all times can help computer users avoid introducing malware onto their machines.
A Look at Norton 360
Called All-In-One Security for a reason, Norton 360 is considered one of the most well-rounded computer protection software packages and is ideal against malware. Norton protects computer users from malware, identity theft, data loss, and more. In regard to malware, Norton 360 is a sound choice because it:
- Defends – The Norton 360 programming suite is designed to defend against the introduction of spyware, bots, rootkits, viruses, Trojans, worms and more. It helps block these files from being downloaded onto a machine in the first place.
- Cleans – Norton 360 can remove malware files that have already been introduced onto a machine, rendering them useless for their creators.
- Blocks – Norton 360 also offers a firewall that helps prevent unauthorized access to a machine. This can block out the bad guys who want to use malware to spy, manipulate and steal information.
- Remains updated – Norton 360 is constantly being updated to defend against the latest attacks. Norton introduces new programming protocols using pulse updates. This means that computer performance isn't likely to be hampered by the use of Norton.
Anyone with a computer and Internet access needs to defend against malware attacks and Norton malware security software can help. There are a number of measures that computer users can take to protect themselves and their data. One of the most effective ways to lock down a machine from harmful attacks is to defend with a well-rounded software package such as Norton 360.