Computer Trojan Infections
NetProAZ specializes in the detection, removal of and protection against trojan computer infections. Trojan infection removal is included in our virus removal package and our pc optimization package (recommended). We also offer DIY downloads for removing your own trojan infections as well.
Trojan Horse Computer Infections
This term is derived from the trojan horse story in Greek mythology and it's purpose and intention is just that. Not only does a trojan install itself in an isolated location, but it typically generates multiple, executable locations and registry entries as well. These trojans are typically referred to as hoppers or downloaders. Either way, a trojan's goal is always the same, with some coded variation and technique differences only. That goal is to allow access to your system or network so that a user or other malicious software / application(s) may now enter at will.
Trojan horse infections pose one of the most serious threats to computer security. A trojan variant is a malicious, security breeching program that disguises itself as a safe application or is completely unseen. Sometimes it will also be bundled or interwoven in an install string unknowingly.
For example, you have downloaded a movie, software, picture, app. or similar file from the internet or your email, and often from a trusted source, now it's time to open or install this item. Little do you know, you have just released a completely hidden application that is now going to work on your security and creating a portal for another user, users or application(s) to enter through.
ActiveX and exploit installs are also very popular with more advanced trojan variants and utilize security flaws or un-updated / end-of-life structures for entry in web browsers, media players, instant messaging clients or other similar software that may or can be manipulated for various reasons. This is why protecting your computer is about many simple items combined, not just one step or one piece of protection software. Properly updating and maintaining all software applications, including your OS is key in keeping your security at an optimum level.
Trojans are also re-written to often load pop-ups, windows or may even add toolbars or adjust Window's settings and/or structure. As with most infections, trojans have varied and diverse courses of actions depending on their author or, in most cases, re-author.
It's terrible that all of these infections exist and even more terrible that people actually spend time on such negative items, but they do and the best approach is to simply protect yourself to the best of your ability and not be worried or scared to do your regular activities on your computer. By installing effective, competent software that protects your computer and scans all of the previously mentioned items before you open them automatically, you can now enjoy yourself with limited worry and simply apply common sense when using your computer. If you are opening something, make sure it gets scanned, same with downloads. Pay attention to where you are and what you are doing, within reason.
If you have children or similar using the computer, it's your responsibility to control the environment and variables in which they do so. Create a non-administrative user account for them to use, for example, so that they can enjoy themselves as well, and if they make mistakes or catch a bug it won't have the privileges to do any damage.
Learn more about virus infection cause, prevention and protection here
Other Computer Infection Types
Adware
This is a type of software or application that typically plays, displays, monitors or pops-up items that would be ethically defined as “above and beyond acceptable advertising or monitoring methods or practices.”
Malware
Is basically short for malicious software and includes all categories or sub-categories of software or applications that quite simply have a negative intention or deceptive/destructive outcome.
Spyware
This software or application obtains information from a user's system or network without that user's knowledge or consent.
Rogue
This application type typically poses as a valid piece of protection software that generates pop-ups and fake errors / scans / reports that are designed to fool and scare the end user into downloading a desired piece of software. These are the most common any annoying of the bunch and probably have the highest rate of success, monetarily speaking.
Worm
This variant is a self-replicating and expanding application. Very well known for their ability to spread via nodes or weak network security structures. Typically worms do not alter or disrupt as they pass, but the more recent, re-written versions do just this.
Replicant
This is one of the hardest variations or infection strains to remove and requires the exact steps be taken, in order, and the correct tools be utilized to even have a chance at removal. These variants typically begin with the prefix win32* and replicate at an uncontrollable rate by infecting all .exe and system files as they are utilized by any user or system privilege level.
Root Kit
These applications are also extremely hard to remove in most cases and typically require advanced knowledge of system structure and usage as manual steps are often required to remove specific elements of the architecture. Root kits are most commonly bundled with another application that requires your 'approval' to install. By utilizing this methodology, they are much harder to detect and have a much more diverse range of control and damage potentials. They are also self concealing, or completely stealth in nature, often utilizing multiple points of control, entry or user and privilege manipulation.
Hijacker
This software application typically takes control of your primary browsing interface, system desktop or both. This a a very noticeable and bothersome infection type that involves popups, redirects and similar or structural and esthetic changes to your desktop layout that cater to the infection's intentions.
Pop-Up
I think everyone has experience a pop-up at one time or another. This is one of the oldest, and yet still utilized, application types. Pop-ups are often released while you are browsing and typically timed or have a release methodology. The more recent versions of this infection type involve connection and disturbances even while you are not actively using a browser and have basically evolved into the rogue classification due to it's continued rate of success.
Riskware
Riskware is a broad category that most potential or would-be threats are thrown into, to put it quite simply. This also parallels or includes popular industry acronyms such as; PUA, PUP, etc. Sometimes this reference or database category is utilized when a protection software locates a coding pattern that seems malicious or follows another variation's structure but it hasn't been assigned as a threat just yet.
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