Threats Explained

Adware
A type of Advertising Display Software, specifically certain executable applications whose primary purpose is to deliver advertising content potentially in a manner or context that may be unexpected and unwanted by users.
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BOT
Short for "Robot" a bot is a program that is designed to automate tasks.
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BOTNET
A botnet is a group of bot infected PCs that are all controlled by the same "command and control center".
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Hoaxes
Hoaxes are usually silly pranks, and are a form of chain mail, and are often also Urban Legends.
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Malware
Malware stands for MALicious SoftWARE. Terms such as Virus, Trojan, Worm, and Bot all have specific meanings.
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Payload
The additional functionality, for instance data stealing, file deletion, disk overwriting, BIOS flashing etc that may be included in a virus worm or Trojan Horse.
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Phishing
Phishing (pronounced in the same way as fishing) is a social engineering attack which attempts to fraudulently acquire sensitive personal information, such as passwords and/or credit card details.
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Rootkit
A rootkit is a collection of one or more tools designed to covertly maintain control of a computer.
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Scams
Scams are very similar to phishing, but are not usually interested in obtaining your details, they often appeal to a sense of compassion or to human greed.
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Spyware
The term Spyware has been used in two ways. In its narrow sense, Spyware is a term for Tracking Software deployed without adequate notice, consent, or control for the user.
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Trojan Horse
A Trojan Horse, often referred to as just a Trojan, is a program which purports to do one thing, but actually does another.
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Virus
A virus is a program which replicate by copying itself, either exactly, or in a modified form, into another piece of executable code.
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Worm
In computer terms, worms are really a subset of viruses, but they have the ability to replicate by themselves, they do not require a host file.
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