Malicious software

Generally speaking malicious software means such a program that is aimed at causing unwanted actions in information systems. Even such software that involuntarily causes damage to information systems is sometimes called malicious.

Besides malicious software, there are threats that are not particularly intended for causing damage, but are, however, troublesome to users. Among such threats are hoaxes, software for spying and advertising and various kind of joking.

‘Hoax’ means a false alert for instance for the spreading of a virus. These hoax messages are mainly sent by e-mail and the senders try to make the recipient to send the message forward to a maximum of recipients. The whole information system may thus be blocked, as a simultaneous dispatch by a great number of senders charges the network resources.

Spyware programmes are software exploring the files of an information system. This information is sent forward to an address fixed in the Spyware. Spyware can be used for finding out users of software or for preparing an attack. Usually this spyware is distributed at certain websites, which try to make the user load and install spyware.

Advertising programmes usually are applications where the free use of the application is based on regular watching of commercials. Certain advertising programmes show, when installing the programme, a licence agreement and require the user’s consent to the installation of the programme, in which case the user in principle accepts the operation of the programme.