Viruses and more
Avira Internet Security - User Manual (Status: 23 Sep. 2011)
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Boot viruses
The boot or master boot sector of hard disks is mainly infected by boot sector viruses.
They overwrite important information necessary for the system execution. One of the
awkward consequences: the computer system cannot be loaded any
more…
Bot-Net
A bot-net is defined as a remote network of PCs (on the Internet) that is composed of bots
that communicate with each other. A bot-net can comprise a collection of cracked
machines running programs (usually referred to as worms, Trojans) under a common
command and control infrastructure. Bot-nets serve various purposes, including denial-of-
service attacks etc., usually without the affected PC user's knowledge. The main potential
of bot-nets is that the networks can achieve grow to thousands of computers and their total
bandwidth exceeds most conventional Internet accesses.
Exploit
An exploit (security gap) is a computer program or script that takes advantage of a bug,
glitch or vulnerability leading to privilege escalation or denial of service on a computer
system. One form of exploitation for example is an attack from the Internet with the help of
manipulated data packages. Programs can be infiltrated in order to obtain higher access.
Fraudulent software
Also known as "scareware" or "rogueware", it is a fraudulent software that pretends that
your computer is infected by viruses or malware. This software looks deceptively similar to
professional Antivirus software but is meant to raise uncertainty or to scare the user. Its
purpose is to make the victims feel threatened of imminent (unreal) danger and to make
them pay to eliminate it. There are also cases when the victims are lead to believe they
were attacked and they are instructed to carry out an action, which in reality is the real
attack.
Hoaxes
For several years, Internet and other network users have received alerts about viruses that
are purportedly spread via email. These alerts are spread via email with the request that
they should be sent to the highest possible number of colleagues and to other users, in
order to warn everyone against the "danger".
Honeypot
A honeypot is a service (program or server) installed in a network. Its function is to monitor
a network and log attacks. This service is unknown to the legitimate user - because of this
