Malware can affect even the most careful of users, that is why you should have a good understanding of what it is, what types there are, ways you get it, ways to remove malware and ultimately prevent it. Below is some information on all these things.
Malware is one of the biggest threats to computers and internet users along side viruses. Malware is programs that can make your computer very slow and cause other such disturbances such as hijacking your browsers and searches, following or tracking what you do online and can cause continuous pop up ads.
Main five types of malware
Adware: a program that causes advertisements to be displayed on your screen whether you are online or offline. Mostly they appear as pop up ads or they cover other advertisements on website's.
Spyware: a program tracking your movements around the web or getting your personal information like credit card numbers, your name, address and passwords and sending it back to its creator. Usually it is attached to programs working in the background or in your browser toolbar.
Trojan Horse: a program that disguises itself as a real legitimate program. Trojan horses are usually attached to software by its creator. It usually spreads and actives other malware and usually if you have encountered a Trojan horse you are left with either a large amount of adware and spyware making your web browser unstable or even potenially deleted files or a wiped hard drive.
Hijackers: a program that takes over your web browser, mainly internet explorer. They usually change your home page and redirect your searches and so forth.
Dialers: a program that resets your internet connections to dial numbers that are usually overseas causing you to get a huge bill. They often are used to send information to its creator.
Other types of malware include toolbars, key loggers, back door, worms, rootkit and wabbits.
Malware usually is much easier to get than remove. They usually hide within various parts of your system and spread or multiply. Sometimes these applications reinstall themselves when you think you have deleted it, but complete malware removal is possible. Some anti virus programs do remove malware, but they are not as successful as a proper malicious removal tool is.
Before you use a malicious removal tool clean out your temporary files, browser files and everywhere else malware can hide, uninstall all the programs that are infected as this will give you the best chance of getting rid off all of the malware completely after you have used the malware removal tool.
Some good malware removal tools that are very effective against all types of this pest are Spyware Doctor and Spyware Eliminator.
The best way to deal with malware is prevention, usually by having a malware removal tool running at all times so that when one does try to intrude your computer it can be easily cleaned and make sure you get regular updates for the malware removal software. Also never download from unknown sources or pop ups. If you want software buy it, don't download it from places like Kazaa or other bulk file website's because you are almost guaranteed to download malware with it and be careful what websites you go on, because they can carry malware.
Malware is real, it's harmful, be aware of it and make sure you take prevention methods against it to protect yourself and your computer.