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Glossary |
  
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Glossary |
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Software that displays advertisement on the screen while users are using it. Typically the software is distributed free.
Browser Helper Object.
Pre-installed, huge software bundles, mostly consisting of demos and trial ware.
Bot
Similar to an electronic Robot. Mindless entity that simply follows and/or relays instructions that are programmed into it and/or provided at any time. Bots may lay dormant until called upon by their master.
Cache
Files that are stored on you system to speed up internet browsing.
Information files created on you computer by websites to identify you (your computer). They may be used to store that you have recently logged into a site and prevent the need to login again every time you move to another page. Other cookies may be used to track you so that a shopping cart can b maintained for a specific period of time. Yet other cookies may store the preference you have set for a site (i.e., Google advanced settings). Some websites use cookies to track your surfing.
Cookies are not necessarily spyware. Many web sites have legitimate uses for cookies (logging information etc) Some websites use cookies to track your surfing etc (Banner advertisement companies: Gator, ValueClick, Fastclick, Doubleclick, Hitbox, Humanclick, X10, Adserver etc...)
D.O.S. Attack
Denial Of Service attack. A process launched against a specific system or group of systems with the intention of keeping the system from doing it job.
Drive-by Download
A program that is automatically downloaded to your computer, often without your consent or even your knowledge.
Enigmaware
See Scamware
Hijacker
A browser helper that forces certain webpages to popup instead of what you want.
Keylogger
Software that records the keyboard keystrokes. The logged data is then typically used to reconstruct exactly what was done on a computer (including the ability to capture passwords).
Generic term to describe various threats.
Parasite
General term used to describe unwanted programs. Parasites include Viruses, Worms, Trojans and other threats.
Pattern file
A data file used by Antivirus programs that contains known virus signature definitions. These files must be updated on a periodic (weekly or daily) basis as new viruses are discovered by the Anti-Virus companies.
Phishing
Typically an email directing you to update an online account. Most disguise them self as a legitimate email from eBay or PayPal. They direct you to a site that looks identical to the real site but they capture the account information that you type into this fake site (Almost 60 Million users have fallen prey to this scam).
In computing, phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing
Pop-Up
Advertisement or other annoyance that is automatically displayed while using the computer. These typically spawn a new browser window.
Ransomware
Malware, usually a trojan, that litterally kipnappes a computer and demands for a Ransom.
After ransomware has installed itself on a computer, it will display a message, telling that the computer has been taken over and that the only way to release it, is to meet the demand for some sort of ransom.
Usually this means a transfer of a certain amount of money to a online bank-account.
Failing to do so, the message says, will result in severe penalties, like deleting files (sometimes in a certain time-interval, to enforce the ransom-demands) or just redering the operating system useless.
Some ransomware-variants will spawn itself thru-out the system, trying to make sure that removal is difficult. Others just do their job and remove themselves.
http://www.jahewi.nl/malware/ransomware/ransomware.html
Rootkit
Malicious applications which help an attacker to disguise Trojans and other kinds of Malware. Rootkits can be compared to a "cloak of invisibility": After a rootkit gets activated any files designated by the attacker will vanish. This will most likely include the rootkit itself and, for example, an additionally installed backdoor. An AV/AT scanner will be unable to detect the invisible files. A rootkit can also hide registry entries. In particular, it will hide its own autostart entries. Some rootkits can even cloak open ports on which a Trojan server is listening ...
Safe Mode
A Windows diagnostics mode. When you start the computer in Safe mode, only the specific components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded.
Software that leads you to believe that it has found parasites that other removers have not detected. This software is usually very prevalent in the search results for specific problems.
Typically their website boasts a free downloadable scanner. After it scan it will list several items that it claims are malicious. When you click a Remove (or Clean), it will inform you that the free scanner does not remove the issues and you must purchase the cleaner. There are many reports that these program can in fact cause problems on your system. (AKA, Enigmaware)
Scareware
A program that pops up messages stating that some malware has been detected on your system and that purchasing a recommended program the threat(s) will be eliminated.
Scumware
Another name for unwanted Parasites.
Session
A specific period of time that you a user is doing a specific task. Typically refers to web shopping. The session starts when the site is opened and concluded when the shopping cart is accepted and paid for.
Spam
Uninvited email messages enticing you to purchase products or services.
Spyrus
Slang term referring to malware Spyware & Virus.
Spyware
Software installed on a system that typically records computer usage habits and later sends the collected data to a centralized location for analysis or sale. This type of parasite is most often installed without the users knowledge.
Surveillance Software
Spyware and Keyloggers
System tray
The are on the taskbar beside the clock.
Temporary file
Files that are stored on the system. Typically these are graphic images, script files and code pages. The primary purpose of temporarily storing these files to speed up the internet experience by loading previously accessed files from the local computer instead of the slower internet site. The benefits of this are much more noticeable for dial-up users.
Trojan
Malicious program / code (infection) designed to appear friendly and appealing to users so that it is invited (installed) on a computer. It then calls home and installs other not-so-nice programs on the infected computer (Viruses, Worms, Spy-Ware, Bots and other Trojans) AKA: Trojan Horse.
U.C.E.
Unsolicited Commercial Email. AKA: Spam.
Virus
Malicious program / code (infection) designed to infest the host system with code to replicate itself and/or alter or damage data and system files. Viruses may include characteristics of Bots, Trojans or Worms. Some viruses are designed to catalog and send specific data back to their originator. This may include sensitive documents or financial data files (i.e., Quicken data). Many viruses are the equivalent of electronic vandalism.
Worm
Malicious program / code (infection) designed to self replicate and spread itself to randomly selected (discovered) systems. Typically used to launch attacks against other computers determined by instructions provided to master Bots.
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Page url:
http://www.tje.net/PCSupport/index.html?glossary.htm
Page content was last updated: 4/21/2009
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