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Viruses,
worms and trojans are malicious programs that can cause damage to your
computer and the information inside it. They slow down the Internet and can
even spread themselves to your friends, family, and the rest of the Web. The
good news is that with just a minimum amount of prevention and some common
sense, you can be less likely to fall victim to these invaders.
What is a worm?
Like a virus, a worm is designed to
copy itself from one computer to another, without user action. It does that
by taking control of features on the computer that can transport files or
information. Unfortunately, a worm can travel alone and replicate itself in
great volume. It has the tendency to send copies of itself to everyone
listed in your e-mail address book, and their computers would then do the
same, creating a domino effect.
What is a Trojan?
A Trojan is
a computer program that appears to be useful but actually does damage. They
spread when unsuspecting people are lured into opening a program because
they think it comes from a legitimate source. You can also get them in
software you download for free. Because of that, never download software
from a source that you don't trust.
An
example of worm is v.b.s. Love letter virus.
VBS/Love Letter is
a VBScript worm. It spreads thru email as a chain letter. The worm uses the
Outlook e-mail application to spread. When it is executed, it first copies
itself to Windows System directory as: MSKernel32.vbs, LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.vbs
and to Windows directory: Win32DLL.vbs. Then it adds itself to registry (regedit),
so it will be executed when the system is restarted.
A model
of trojan is sub seven.
SubSeven is a Trojan Horse,
similar to Netbus or Back Orifice, which enables unauthorized people to
access your computer over the Internet without your knowledge.
In fact when the server
portion of the program runs on a computer, the individual who is remotely
accessing the computer may be able to perform the following:
- Set it up
as an FTP server
- Browse
files on that system
- Download files
- Capture real-time screen
information
- Open and close programs
- Edit
information in currently running programs
- Show
pop-up messages and dialog boxes
- Hang up a
dial-up connection
- Remotely restart a computer
- Open the CD-ROM
- Edit the registry information
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