A
virus is a
segment of program code
that attaches itself (infects) another file called the host.
The virus is activated when the host file is used. Once activated, the
virus will seek to replicate and infect or damage user files, system
files or the boot record with results from the humorous to the
apocalyptic. In January of 2003 the Slammer Virus infected 78,000
computers in half an hour.
A worm is not attached to a file and
repicates by sending a copy of itself via email or a network message.
A wabbit is a self-replicating program
whose rapid multiplication can saturate system resources until the
system halts.
Adware is any
program that provides unwanted advertising on a computer.
Spyware is any
program that provides user information across the net.
A browser hijacker is a program that
chages browser settings and the home page so that the user cannot fully
control internet access.
A keystroke logger is a program that
captures user keystrokes and sends them to another party.
Phishing is
misrepresentation in order to induce the user to provide personal
information.
|
|
A rootkit is a set of programs that
hack into a system and gain control. Rootkits act to obscure their
presence on the system through subversion or evasion of standard
operating system security mechanisms. Often, they are also Trojans as
well, thus fooling users into believing they are safe to run on their
systems. Rootkits
conceal running processes from monitoring programs and hide files or
system data from the operating system. They monitor traffic and
keystrokes, alter log files, attack other computers on the network, and
alter existing system tools to circumvent detections.
Very difficult to iradicate.
Denial of service is
an attack on a network that disrupt and overloads transmission
protocols so some or all network servies are unavailable. The
buffer overflow attacks use traffic saturation. The SYN
attacks use unsysnchronized packets. Teardrop
attacks use oversize packets. Smurf
attacks use IP ping saturation.
Botnet a group of
computers infected with the malicious kind of robot software, the bots,
which present a security threat to the computer owner. Once the robot
software (malware) has been successfully installed, this computer
becomes a zombie, accepting control of the bot commander. Botnets do
any of the following: denial of service, spamming and traffic
monitoring, keylogging and mass identity theft, botnet spread, and pay
per click abuse.
Main Menu
|
