Malware or malicious software is a type of software that causes negative effects on a computer. Malware can be found in many different forms such as Trojans, worms, and spyware, and can affect computers in different ways. Trojans, for example, hide in some programs and run in the computer background in order to infect and damage computer files such as Windows Registry files. In contrast, a worm uses a computer to make copies of itself and sends those copies to other users within the same network. Spyware may contain attributes of both of these forms of malware, but is designed to steal the user’s usernames, passwords, credit card information, and other personal data.
How to Defend One’s Computer from Malware
Users can protect their computers from malware by using anti-virus software, which is a type of program that is specifically designed to recognize malware and remove it from the computer. Anti-virus software works by comparing a database of malicious files it already knows about with all other files found on the computer. When an anti-virus software makes a match between a file on a computer with a malicious file in its database, it flags the file, quarantines it, and removes it once the user gives it permission to do so. The following are several examples of powerful, free anti-virus software.
Spyware Terminator
Spyware Terminator is a very popular anti-virus software that is able to run in the computer background in order to identify and quarantine malicious files as they attempt to run. While Spyware Terminator is not the most powerful anti-virus software available, it does include both Quick and Deep Scans, a real-time shield, and the ability to run itself at pre-determined times that the user chooses.
Malwarebytes’ Antimalware
Malwarebytes’ Antimalware is another popular anti-virus software that is able to perform much deeper scans than Spyware Terminator and runs in about half the time. While Malwarebytes’ Antimalware has a larger database of malicious files than Spyware Terminator and allows users to choose times in which the program is automatically launched, it does not include a real-time shield.
Advanced SystemCare
Like Spyware Terminator and Malwarebytes’ Antimalware, Advanced SystemCare is very popular amongst personal users and computer specialists alike. Advanced SystemCare includes a very large database of malicious files that is bigger than both of the aforementioned programs and a real-time shield that monitors not only malicious files, but also the overall security of the computer, allows users to erase their browsing history, delete unused programs, and run the Windows Defragmenter.
