SMG IS 223 Study Guide - Final Guide: Computer Virus, Malware, Ransomware
14 May 2018
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Malicious Software (aka malware)
● Malware includes threats like: computer viruses, worms, Trojan horse
● Computer virus - rogue (dishonest) software program that attaches to other software programs
or data files usually without user knowing or permission
○ Viruses spread from computer to computer through downloads or copying infected files
● Worms - independent computer programs that copy itself from computer to computer over a
network
○ Does not need need humans to spread it
○ Spreads faster than computer viruses
○ Destroys data and programs; Disrupts or stops computer operations
● Computer virus and Worms
○ Spread over Internet
○ Spread through
■ File downloads
■ Attachments in emails
■ Online ads
■ Instant messaging
■ Drive-by-downloads → very popular method today. Get malware through a
downloaded file
○ Virus
■ Spread through physical parts like infected disks and machines
● Mobile device malware
● Social network malware
○ On Facebook, friends send a message and you click on it. It’ll ask you to update your
Adobe Flash, but instead it downloads something harmful
● Trojan horse - software program at seems friendly but actually does something else
○ Not a virus; does not replicate
○ Is a way for viruses or other malware to get into your computer
○ Like the Trojan horse in the Trojan War. Looks not harmful but when the horse gets into
the city walls,, Greek soldiers reveal themselves and attacks
○ Example of Trojan horse → Zeus Trojan
■ Zeus is used to steal bank logins
■ Spread through drive-by-downloads and phishing (sending emails from good
reputation places in order to get users to give up their passwords, credit card #s)
● SQL injection attacks - takes advantage of poorly coded web application software to put in
malicious program code
○ Largest malware threat
● Ransomware - affects phone and computer
○ Tries to take control of computer or show annoying pop-up messages to get money
○ Ex: forcing users to pay hundred of dollars to regain access of computer
○ Get ransomware by downloading infected attachments, clicking on links from emails,
visiting the wrong page
● Spyware - attaches to computers to look at web-surfing and give advertising
○ Example of spyware → keyloggers - record every keystroke
■ Zeus Trojan uses keylogging
○ Spyware can slow down computer by taking up a lot of memory
○ Spyware can reset web browser home pages
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Malware includes threats like: computer viruses, worms, trojan horse. Computer virus - rogue (dishonest) software program that attaches to other software programs or data files usually without user knowing or permission. Viruses spread from computer to computer through downloads or copying infected files. Worms - independent computer programs that copy itself from computer to computer over a network. Does not need need humans to spread it. Destroys data and programs; disrupts or stops computer operations. Spread through physical parts like infected disks and machines. On facebook, friends send a message and you click on it. Adobe flash, but instead it downloads something harmful. Trojan horse - software program at seems friendly but actually does something else. Like the trojan horse in the trojan war. Looks not harmful but when the horse gets into. Is a way for viruses or other malware to get into your computer the city walls,, greek soldiers reveal themselves and attacks.
