Top 10 Computer Virus Terms You Should Know

Computer viruses are software programs that do the destructive work. It can delete your files, steal personal data and affect hardware thus not allowing to work. Virus is a common term used in computer world to indicate all bad programs. You might have heard few other terms like Trojans, spyware and malware to indicate computer viruses. In addition, there are many unpopular terms used in tech world. Here are some of the computer virus terms you should aware.

1. Adware

Adware is a program executed on your computer without your permission. Unlike computer viruses spread by hackers, even corporate companies use adware. These programs collect details about user’s web searches and send to the advertisers. Based on the collected information advertisers serve personalized ads to users.

Generally, adware works based on the cookie set on the website you visit. For example, website owners display advertisements from Google as part of Google AdSense program. In this program, website owner inserts JavaScript code provided by Google for tracking. Google will collect the information stored in the cookie and serve interest based advertisements to users. Though this looks good, it happens without user’s permission.

Nowadays, adware cookies are most common for tracking your online activities. Almost all websites serve cookies for tracking, hence it is no more considered as harmful. However, it is legally necessary to get user consent in certain countries for using tracking cookies on websites.

2. Backdoor Santa

Many of us download software applications from third-party websites. Backdoor Santa are applications that collect information about you, other applications running on your computer, websites you visit and the products you buy on the Internet. All these happen without you even knowing it. You will have no idea whether the program is doing this backdoor work.

However, there are some backdoor program user install with the knowledge. For example, browser toolbars that you install will collect information regarding your web searches.

3. BHO

BHO stands for Browser Helper Object. It will start work immediately after launching your browser. Though some BHO helps us, many programs will redirect you to pornography sites. Once it hijacks your computer, you will notice the computer works very slowly. Some Trojan viruses use this BHO to accomplish their work.

4. Blended Threat

This is the most damaging attack on a computer, like virus and worm run together. This can spread the virus through the email thus affecting those who opens the email.

5. Botnets

When hackers take over group of computers in a network they will start use them as botnets. They will use the network computers at their own will to do malicious work. The entire network will act as a “robot network” hence the name botnets.

6. Browser Hijacker

This program will hijack you to unknown websites mostly belong to the hijackers. It will automatically change your browser settings and setup your home page to unknown site. If you notice and try to change the settings, the browser hijacker will erase your settings and setup its own.

7. Dialers

Dialer is a kind of small software program that will make internet connection through your modem without permission. Often, it will take you to offensive and sexual sites. This attack can only happen for those who access internet over the phone connection.

8. Grayware

Grayware is not a single virus term. It is a program generally can ruin your work and to be deleted from your computer. It includes the aforementioned adware and dialers.

9. Keyloggers

As the name indicates, keyloggers record all keyboard impressions and send to the program owner. You can even use this for useful purposes. For example, you can use it to find out what kind of software children are running on computers and what sites they visit. Many corporates also use these keyloggers to monitor the activities of their employees. There are free and premium keyloggers available online for purchasing.

10. Malware

Malware is one of the popular terms to indicate computer virus. It simply means a malicious software. This includes all harmful programs that get into computer without permission of the user.

11. Stalking Horse

Stalking horse is an add-on program that will come along with a popular program. You will think it helps to enhance the features of the main program. However, it records the nature of your work and helps the popular program to serve personalized ads and services.