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Malware Code Glossary 
 
ActiveX 
ActiveX is a set of technologies from Microsoft that enables interactive content for the World Wide Web. As ActiveX security settings in Internet Explorer can allow web pages to secretly install ActiveX controls automatically, they can be a significant security threat. ActiveX controls can access files on your hard drive. 
 
Botnet 
A network of Bots. A Bot, or Zombie, is a computer that has been infected with malware that allows a remote malicious user access to the computer. With that remote access, the malicious user can control and harness the power of all such Bots into a powerful network used for criminal activity. 
 
Browser Helper Object (BHO) 
A Browser Helper Object (BHO) is a program that runs automatically every time a browser is launched. It is meant to extend the functionality of the browser, but it can also track how you use the Internet. 
 
Data Miner 
A Data Miner is a program that can collect information on how you browse and use websites. The collected information can include data gathered from forms you fill and submit. Usually data miners work without your knowledge. 
 
Dialer 
A Dialer is a program which tries to connect to an expensive pay-per-minute phone number using the computer's modem. Most dialers work without your awareness or permission. 
 
Hoax 
A Hoax is a type of chain letter that contains false information, often spreading a false virus warning. Do note that we generally only focus on virus-related hoaxes. We can not evaluate whether non-computer related folklore stories are urban legends or true stories. Check www.snopes.com for general urban legends. 
 
Hosts File 
The Hosts File is a lot like an address book. When you type an address into your web browser, the address is translated into a numeric IP address. If the address can be found from the Hosts file, your computer will use it. If not, your computer will connect to the DNS service of your Internet Service Provider. Some malware can edit your Hosts file to hijack and redirect a web connection to a completely different site on the Internet/World Wide Web. 
 
Intended 
When malware is typed as Intended, it is software that contains bugs or other problems that prevent it from functioning as the author intended. It would have been malware, and future versions still might be, but the current version is defective. 
 
Joke 
A Joke is a program with annoying or funny functionality, but it?s not destructive. 
 
Malware 
Malware is a common name for all kinds of unwanted software such as viruses, worms, trojans and jokes. 
 
Monitoring Tool 
A Monitoring Tool can monitor and record all computer activities, including each keystroke you type on the keyboard. 
 
Multipartite Virus 
A Multipartite Virus is a virus composed of several parts. Every part of a multipartite virus needs to be cleaned away, to give assurance of non-infection. 
 
Network Worm 
A Network Worm is a program that can replicate itself by sending copies in e-mail messages or over a network. 
 
On-Access Scanner 
On-Access Scanner: Real-time scanner, a background process that provides a constant guard against viruses. 
 
On-Demand Scanner 
An On-Demand Scanner is a virus scanner which is started manually. 
 
Pharming 
Pharming (pronounced farming) is a scam technique that is similar to phishing. It is an attempt to steal personal information using false web sites. Pharming attacks seed false information on Internet DNS servers that provide location information. The result is that individuals are directed to web sites to seem to be genuine, but are actually false. 
 
Phishing 
In a computing context, Phishing is an impersonation of a corporation or other trusted institution. The goal of the impersonation is to extract passwords or other sensitive information from the victim. It is a form of criminal activity that utilizes social engineering techniques. Phishing is typically done using e-mail or an instant messaging program. The attempt of the message is to appear to be from an authentic source so that victim will either directly respond, or will open a URL link to a fake web site run by the criminals.

Phishing (pronounced fishing) is a scam technique using e-mail that links to false, but genuine looking web sites, most often of Banks, that attempt to steal personal information. The spam bait is used with the odds that it will be ignored by most, because it will be out of context, but with the hope that some will be hooked. 
 
Polymorphic Virus 
A Polymorphic Virus is a virus which changes itself (mutates) as it passes through host files, making disinfection a serious challenge. 
 
Real-Time Scanner 
A Real-Time Scanner is a scanner that operates in the background, allowing a user to continue working at normal speed, with no significant slowing. 
 
Replication Mechanism 
Replication Mechanisms are a mandatory part of every virus and worm. If it doesn?t have a replication mechanism, it?s by definition not a virus or worm. 
 
Rootkit 
Rootkits are a technique that allows malware to hide from computer operating systems and from computer users. Rootkit techniques create stealth programs that run at a "lower" level than the user can see with normal software utilities. Malware attempts to use this method to avoid detection by security software. See also: PC Security Shield BlackLight - Rootkits. 
 
Spyware 
Spyware is a program that performs such actions as creating unsolicited pop-ups, hijacks home/search pages, or redirects browsing results. 
 
Stealth Virus 
A Stealth Virus is a virus that hides itself by intercepting disk access requests. When an antivirus program tries to read files or boot sectors to find the virus, the stealth virus feeds the antivirus program a clean image of file or boot sector. 
 
Time Bomb 
A Time Bomb is a destructive action triggered at some specific date or time. 
 
Tracking Cookies 
Tracking Cookies track your web browsing habits. They can collect information about pages and advertisements you have seen or any other activity during browsing. Different websites can share tracking cookies, and each website with the same tracking cookie can read the information and write new information into it. 
 
Trojan 
A Trojan is a program with hidden destructive functionality. 
 
Virus 
A Virus is a computer program that replicates by attaching itself to another object and/or program. 
 
Vulnerability 
Vulnerabilities open security holes that can allow other applications to connect to the computer system without your authorization or knowledge. 
 
Worm 
A Worm is a computer program that replicates independently by sending itself to other systems. Worms are "network viruses", primarily replicating on networks. Usually a worm will execute itself automatically on a remote machine without any extra help from a user. However, there are worms, such as mass-mailer worms, that will not always automatically execute themselves without the help of a user.

Security Guide

1. Most of the worms which use e-mail to propagate use Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express to spread. If you need to use Outlook, download and install the latest Outlook security patch from Microsoft. In general, keep your operating system and applications up-to-date and apply the latest patches when they become available. Be sure to get the updates directly from the vendor. 
 

2. When possible, avoid e-mail attachments both when sending and receiving e-mail. 
 

3. Configure Windows to always show file extensions. In Windows 2000, this is done through Explorer via the Tools menu: Tools/Folder Options/View - and uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types". This makes it more difficult to for a harmful file (such as an EXE or VBS) to masquerade as a harmless file (such as TXT or JPG). 
 

4. Never open e-mail attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS or PIF. These extensions are almost never used in normal attachments but they are frequently used by viruses and worms. 
 

5. Never open attachments with double file extensions such as NAME.BMP.EXE or NAME.TXT.VBS 
 

6. Do not share your folders with other users unless necessary. If you do, make sure you do not share your full drive or your Windows directory. 
 

7. Disconnect your network or modem cable when you're not using your computer - or just power it down. 
 

8. If you feel that an e-mail you get from a friend is somehow strange - if it is in a foreign language or if it just says odd things, double-check with the friend before opening any attachments. 
 

9. When you receive e-mail advertisements or other unsolicited e-mail, do not open attachments in them or follow web links quoted in them. 
 

10. Avoid attachments with sexual filenames. E-mail worms often use attachments with names like PORNO.EXE or PAMELA_NUDE.VBS to lure users into executing them. 
 

11. Do not trust the icons of attachment file. Worms often send executable files which have an icon resembling icons of picture, text or archive files - to fool the user. 
 

12. Never accept attachments from strangers in online chat systems such as IRC, ICQ or AOL Instant Messenger. 
 

13. Avoid downloading files from public newsgroups (Usenet news). These are often used by virus writers to distribute their new viruses.

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