Security software: Choosing the best antivirus software Before you install security software
Keep your PC safe with our essential security tips
What sort of threats do I face?
If you own a computer and use the internet then there are a number of security risks that you will need to be aware of and protect yourself against. These include everything from deliberately malicious software (known as ‘malware’ for short) to potentially misleading junk email and the possibility of inadvertently compromising your own privacy.
For a full run-down of all the different types of threat, head to our Understanding Security Terms guide.
Malware
For many people, the word ‘virus’ has come to be a generic term used to describe anything that can infect our computers, but the word ‘malware’ would actually be more appropriate, since it refers to any type of malicious software, including (but not limited to) viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, rootkits and other intentionally malevolent program code.
Malware is spread by a variety of means. Some malware is designed to simply replicate itself, which can be an inconvenience. Other types are more destructive; some can cause your computer to behave erratically, others can corrupt data or even potentially allow another person to gain unauthorised access to your PC.
Hackers
A hacker – or ‘cracker’ – is someone who wants to gain access to your computer for their own means. Whenever you connect to the internet, you’re effectively connecting your computer to a massive network, which effectively makes it possible for hackers to access your system from afar. A hacker may not be a ‘real’ person sitting at a PC, but could also be an automated ‘bot’; an application created to sniff out weak defences. Some hacking techniques also require a user to inadvertently open a ‘backdoor’ to their computer – for example, by accidentally installing some malware.
Spam and phishing
The majority of spam or junk emails we receive are just plain annoying; sometimes they can contain offensive material but they’re otherwise largely harmless. Some spam messages, however, can contain viruses and other malware as attachments. Others can include misleading information designed to trick us into clicking on links to fake websites or giving away private information, such as credit card numbers. This is known as a phishing scam.
