Regarding the Bad Guys...

With so many hostile factors facing your computer these days, it can be a monumental task to protect yourself. Let's start by defining the different types of threats.

• Viruses -is a self-replicating computer program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user (as defined by Wikipedia). Many people mistake other kinds of threats as viruses, however, spyware and other malware, may act very differently. Click this link for a complete definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus
  
• SpyWare -Wikipedia states:" a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party." Often spyware is installed via virus, but it is not limited to that mode of installation.
  
• Root Kits -This particularly nasty form of Malware actually alters the root of the operating system to render the unwanted user invisible. In laymans terms, it makes the hacker and his tools invisible to Windows. Therefore you (and your antivirus protection) can't see them at all. More on this later
  
• Hackers -These guys are the guys that "hack". There are good guys known as White Hat Hackers and Bad Guy Hackers, known as Black Hat Hackers. This bears some further explanation.White Hats also known as "Ethical Hackers" are generally the folks that secure networks. The will also attempt to break into networks to expose security flaws for the perpose of evaluation and remediation. Black Hats These are the guys that most people think of when they hear of "hackers". They spend their time trying to maliciously break into networks and computer systems.
  
• Adware -Adware allows the unwanted software to serve ads. Usually in the form of popup ads. In some cases you don't even need to be on the internet. Other types of Adware adds a tool bar, or a search bar to your browser. In some cases, these can be extremely maliciaious, they can add additional spyware/malware, redirect your searches to their pages...

So what do you do?? How can you keep your computer in working order? What about email? What happens if you have already been infected? What about online banking and ecommerce??? What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow???All that and more in upcoming installments!! So Stay Tuned.