Survival in a Malware World

By Russell Smith
March 15, 2004

The year 2004 marks a watershed in Internet connections: For the first time, the number of broadband users will surpass dial-up users. Millions of computer users will be online with instant connections, offering easy targets for malware invasions.

It's an all-too-common scene in today's fragile online world of computing: Users bombarded with malware of all sorts. Malware, a term an Israeli virus researcher coined in 1990, refers to all the viruses, Trojans, and malicious code software designed to wreak havoc on unsuspecting users. Malware writers want to cause damage to as many different users as possible. Add in the massive and increasing problem of unsolicited junk e-mail, sneaky Web cookies, pop-ups, and spyware applications, along with the confusing security patch situation with Windows programs, and it is no wonder most users are overwhelmed by this current state of affairs.

Further coverage:  Technewsworld