The term 'malware' is usually used to denote different kinds of the applications installed without user's consent, feeding him up with ads, stealing his private information and so on. This includes spyware and adware. New malware appears every day, responding to the growing number of methods to fight malware.

Many of the malware applications are able to reinstall after you delete them and reboot your computer. Moreover, they are able to hide themselves somewhere deep inside your registry, so it's a harsh task to track them.

The problem is you can be easily infected with malware. It is often bundled with different freely distributed programs, especially the file sharing applications, which are probably the most popular bundlers. This kind of malware (usually referred to as adware) earns money for its creators, by showing annoying pop-up ads, which are paid by the advertisers. Sometimes a website will ask you whether you want to install a piece of software pretending to be necessary to browse the site successfully. Well, in most cases that's just a hidden catch and you will result in having a malware application on your computer, neither less nor more. Well, the last category of malware applications include those installing themselves without user's consent. They use holes in the security system of your browser, so the only thing you are to do to get this naughty thing on your machine is visiting the wrong website. However, most malware applications need to be installed by the user. And regrettably it is far more difficult to get rid of a malware application than to get infected with it. Malware applications, having once set up in your system, tend to multiple themselves, resulting in more frequent system crashes, unstoppable advertising stream etc.

Among the most widely spread malware pieces we can note:

- Adware, programs placing advertisements on your display. Pop-ups, pop-unders, redirection and whatever the author of the program has invented now waits for you to spoil your time at the computer.
- Spyware intends to collect private information about you and your activity and send it to someone. That someone would not probably need that information to send you a postcard, huh?
- Hijackers attempt to take control over your browser by changing the default homepage, adding new toolbars, redirecting your search attempts to their own search engines etc. They usually prevent you from visiting websites that fight malware.
- Dialers call some special number, making the owner richer with every second on the line, finally leaving you alone with a huge phone bill. In several cases the usage of dialers is legitimate, but far more often they install themselves quietly and try to steal your money in such a perverted way.

Among the programs most vulnerable to the attacks of malware Microsoft Internet Explorer is the leader. In order to prevent your IE browser from being infected with some malicious applications, you should make sure you always have some firewall and antivirus program active, as well as some of the widely available malware tracking software.