Tools
Many of you may ask “why do I need any of these tools?”. Well here are a few explanations as to what a Virus, Trojan, Nuke Attack and the many other things that can happen to
you without these tools, especially if you download files off the net or visit chat rooms.
Virus
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Most viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer
viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and
bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across network and bypassing security systems
AntiVirus
A utility that searches a hard disk for viruses and removes any that are found. Most antivirus programs include an auto-update feature that enables the program to download
profiles of new viruses so that it can check for the new viruses as soon as they are discovered.
DoS_Attacks
Short for denial-of-service attack, a type of attack on a network or personal computer that is designed to bring the network/PC to its knees by flooding it with useless traffic.
Many DoS attacks, such as the Ping of Death and Teardrop attacks, exploit limitations in the TCP/IP protocols. For all known DoS attacks, there are software fixes that system administrators or PC users can
install to limit the damage caused by the attacks. But, like viruses, new DoS attacks are constantly being dreamed up by hackers. The easiet way to protect a network or a PC is to use a properly designed
firewall.
Firewall
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls
are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranet. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the
firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria. A firewall is considered a first line of defense in protecting private information. For greater
security, data can be encrypted.
Firewalls can also be used to help protect you against Trojans and Viruses but are not a substitute for AntiVurus and Trojan Cleaner software. Most dial-up internet users need
not worry about firewalls unless they frequantly visit chat rooms, whether they are java chat rooms or IRC chat rooms. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Trojan or Trojan Horse
A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike a viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. One of the most
insidious types of Trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses onto your computer.
The term comes from a story in Homer's Iliad, in which the Greeks give a giant wooden horse to their foes, the Trojans, ostensibly as a peace offering. But after the Trojans
drag the horse inside their city walls, Greek soldiers sneak out of the horse's hollow belly and open the city gates, allowing their compatriots to pour in and capture Troy.
Trojan
Cleaner
A utility that searches a hard disk for Trojans and removes any that are found. Most Trojan Cleaner programs include an auto-update feature that enables the program to download
profiles of new Trojans so that it can check for the new Trojans as soon as they are discovered. Many of the AtiVirus programs will search for Trojans too, the best of which is Norton AV, but it is always best
to be sure and using a Trojan Cleaner as well as a AV program is the best way to stay safe.
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