F-Secure Malware Code Glossary
Data miner
A data miner is a program that can collect
information on how you browse and use websites. The collected information can
include data gathered from forms you fill in and submit. Usually data miners
work without your knowledge.
Tracking cookies
Tracking cookies track your web browsing
habits. They can collect information about pages and advertisements you have
seen or any other activity during browsing. Different websites can share
tracking cookies, and each website with the same tracking cookie can read the
information and write new information into it.
Spyware of type Malware
A program which performs such
actions as creating unsolicited pop-ups, hijacks home/search pages or redirects
browsing results.
Monitoring tool
A monitoring tool can monitor and record
all computer activities, including each keystroke you type on the keyboard.
Vulnerability
Vulnerabilities open security holes that
can allow other applications to connect to the system without your authorization
or knowledge.
Misc
Programs which do not fit the other categories.
There is no sign of their installation until after the installation is completed
and the program is present in the system. This category includes items looked
for in the Hosts file as a part of a redirected Hosts file hijack.
Dialer
A dialer is a program which tries to connect to an
expensive pay-per-minute phone number using the modem. Most dialers work without
your awareness or permission.
Worm
A worm is a program that can replicate itself by
sending copies in e-mail messages or over a network.
ActiveX
ActiveX is a set of technologies from Microsoft
that enables interactive content for the World Wide Web. As ActiveX security
settings in Internet Explorer can allow web pages to secretly install ActiveX
controls automatically, they can be a significant security threat. ActiveX
controls can access files on your hard drive.
Browser Helper Object (BHO)
A program that runs
automatically every time a browser is launched. It is meant to extend the
functionality of the browser, but it can also track how you use the
Internet.
Hosts file
The Hosts file is a lot like an address book.
When you type an address into your web browser, the address is translated into a
numeric IP address. If the address can be found from the Hosts file, your
computer will use it. If not, your computer will connect to the DNS service of
your Internet Service Provider. Some malware can edit your Hosts file to hijack
and redirect a web connection to a completely different site in the
Internet.
Trojan Horse
A program with hidden destructive
functionality.
Virus
A computer program that replicates by attaching
itself to another object.
Worm
A computer program that replicates independently by
sending itself to other systems.
Hoax
A chain letter that usually spreads a false virus
warning.
Joke
A program with annoying or funny functionality, but
it’s not destructive.
Malware
A common name for all kinds of unwanted software
such as viruses, worms, trojans and jokes.
Replication mechanism
A mandatory part of every virus and
worm. If it doesn’t have a replication mechanism, it’s by definition not a virus
or worm.
Time bomb
Destructive action triggered at some specific
date or time.
On-demand scanner
A virus scanner which is started
manually.
Real-time scanner
A scanner that operates in the
background, allowing a user to continue working at normal speed, with no
significant slowing.
Multipartite virus
A virus composed of several parts.
Every part of a multipartite virus needs to be cleaned away, to give assurance
of non-infection.
Polymorphic virus
A virus which changes itself (mutates)
as it passes through host files, making disinfection a serious challenge.
Stealth virus
A virus that hides itself by intercepting
disk access requests. When an anti-virus program tries to read files or boot
sectors to find the virus, the stealth virus feeds the anti-virus program a
clean image of file or boot sector.
On-access scanner
Real-time scanner, a background process
that provides a constant guard against viruses.
