Malware (Computer Viruses & Spyware)

This chapter will endeavor to increase your understanding of the nature and hazards of computer viruses and sypware and the importance of proper prevention and cure. A very thorough and informative article on the nature of these hazardous programs can be found at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Besides giving a definition and an excellent write-up on the probable history of these programs, you will find an explanation about how, in general, the various strains of viruses and sypware attempt to infect or load onto your computer and then what methods anti-virus and anti-spyware programmers use to prevent damages. First, read the article about Computer Viruses. For an informative discussion about what is happening and who and why they are "doing malware", have a listen to a former Scotland Yard detective now working with Microsoft. This is an audio file so if you are working in the library you might want to borrow some headphones. Listen to, A conversation with Steve Santorelli on malware Part A and Part B on Microsoft TechNet Radio.

The Cost of Damage Caused by Viruses

Viruses and worms are a major concern to computer users because they eat up tremendous amounts of resources. Consider the huge amounts of data lost world wide; the huge amounts of time people spend retrieving lost data; the billions of dollars lost combating viruses and building secure computing environments; the replacement costs of damaged equipment and the economic loss of productive computer time. A search of free world wide web literature using the terms "virus and damages" indicates loses in the multi-billions of dollars world wide.

On the other side of the story, we must ask who has their fingers on the pulse of the entire world wide web, vigilantly sensing the emergence new strains of viruses? What is their motivation for doing so and are they capable of accurately calculating associated costs to society at large?

We may indeed surmise that those who are marketing anti-virus software do so because they stand to gain by selling or licencing yet another years subscription for virus protection. Can they be trusted to provide accurate figures of real costs or are they prone to exaggeration to boost sales of their products? How about IBM, Microsoft Corporation or Apple Computers? Can they tolerate"unscrupulous software hackers" messing with their operating systems? Do they benefit from broadcasting their security breaches to the public or under-estimating the cost of fixing such insecurities?

Perhaps you have encountered the havoc wreaked by a virus. Perhaps you have experienced firsthand the frustration of your personal time being consumed in trying to expedite a software cleansing. But what is the real cost? How accurate are the estimates calculating the cost of damages caused by viruses? What role does the media have in warning and educating the public about the dangers of contracting a virus? Read some of the myths and urban legends that have been spun over the last two decades. Are viruses given too much "airtime". You decide!