Malware (Malicious Software) installs itself on your computer and is designed perform a variety of tasks. It is generally divided into three categories:

1. Spyware
2. Adware
3. Diallers

 

Spyware

Some people mistake spyware for a computer virus. A computer virus is a piece of code designed to replicate itself as many times as possible, spreading from one host computer to any other computers connected to it. It usually has a payload that may damage your personal files or even your Operating System.

Spyware, on the other hand, is generally not designed to damage your computer. Spyware is broadly defined as any program that gets into your computer without permission and hides in the background while it makes unwanted changes to your computer. The damage it does is more a by-product of its main mission, which is to serve you targeted advertisements or make your browser display certain sites or search results. Some of the more dangerous Spyware programmes will run in the background, recording your keystrokes in an attempt to steal passwords and other personal information. This is then sent out over the internet to a predefined destination.

Some of the more notorious spyware companies include Gator, Bonzi Buddy, 180 Solutions, DirectRevenue, Cydoor, CoolWebSearch, Xupiter, XXXDial and Euniverse.

Adware

Adware (Advertisement Software) has a lot of similarities to Spyware in it's behaviour and how it affects your computer. It monitors your surfing and searching habits and then starts redirecting your searches to it's own list of sites or search pages. For example, if you were searching for new car prices on the internet, it wouldn't be to long before you would start getting "pop up" windows advertising new cars and redirecting you to car related sites.

Another by-product of Adware is unwanted and unsolicited adult content on your computer. Shortcut links on your desktop, extra links added to your favourites list and frequent "pop up" windows advertising adult websites are also a good indication that you have Malware of some kind on your computer. These are usually added when the Malware is installed and are not necessarily the result of searches for this kind of content.

Diallers

These are also known as Modem Hijackers. They are small programs that install themselves on your computer and change your internet dialup settings. Instead of your modem dialling your normal Eircom number, it dials an international premium rate number. This can continue until you receive your phone bill and you notice it has increased by several hundred €uro.

How does it get onto your computer?

Malware usually gets onto your machine because of something you do, like clicking a button on a pop-up window, installing a software package or agreeing to add functionality to your Web browser. These applications often use trickery to get you to install them, from fake system alert messages to buttons that say "cancel" when they really do the opposite.

Here are some of the general ways in which Spyware finds its way into your computer:

• Piggybacked software installation - Some applications, particularly peer-to-peer file-sharing clients (Like Kazaa), will install spyware as a part of their standard install. If you don't read the installation list closely, you might not notice that you're getting more than the file-sharing application you want. This is especially true of the "free" versions that are advertised as an alternative to software you have to buy.
• Drive-by download - This is when a Web site or pop-up window automatically tries to download and install spyware on your machine. The only warning you might get would be your browser's standard message telling you the name of the software and asking if it's okay to install it. If your security settings are set low enough, you won't even get the warning.
• Browser add-ons - These are pieces of software that add enhancements to your Web browser, like a toolbar, animated pal or additional search box. Sometimes these really do what they say they do but also include elements of spyware as part of the deal. Or sometimes they are nothing more than thinly veiled spyware themselves. Particularly nasty add-ons are considered browser hijackers. These embed themselves deeply in your machine and take quite a bit of work to get rid of.
• Masquerading as anti-spyware - This type of software convinces you that it's a tool to detect and remove spyware. When you run the tool, it tells you your computer is clean while it installs additional spyware of its own.

Symptoms of Infection

• Computer takes a long time to start up.
• Attempts to connect to the internet when it starts up or while you are using it.
• Computer is slow to shutdown or "hangs" during shutdown.
• Internet connection is slow and frequently disconnects.
• Will not connect to the internet at all.
• Computer runs very slowly and locks up frequently.
• Pop up windows displaying advertisements.

 

What will we do for you?

1. Discuss the symptoms you are experiencing.
2. Test your computer for the presence of Malware (Free).
3. Contact you with your options and an estimate of the cost of removal.
4. Complete the removal process if instructed to do so.

 

No repair work is carried without first informing you of the cost. This includes any other faults which may be found while repairing the initial problem. The cost of any new parts which may be required for the repair will be included in the estimate given. If new parts are required only top quality, brand new parts will be used.

I service and repair all models and brands of desktop computers, laptops and printers. I also manufacture new computers that are custom built to your specification and budget. Click on Wizard Computers for more information.

You will be informed of the cost of repair before any work is carried so there will be no surprises. There is no charge for diagnostics, so if the computer is uneconomical to repair or is unrepairable, there is no charge.

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