Our
computer is constantly being attacked by viruses. These viruses
goal is to just demolish our computers. Viruses can be acquired
by our computer through corrupt files.
One
of the ways we can be able to be infected with corrupt files
is through the internet. The internet is a world where we all
share lots and lots of information. However, these things come
at a price sometimes. There are viruses that come and go as
we share information, files and data.
One
of those things that can corrupt our computer online is worms.
These worms reproduce independently and travel across the network
connections. A worm differs from a virus in how they reproduce
and spread.
Viruses
are dependent on host files or boot sectors and the virus will
spread due to the sharing of files between tow machines.
Kinds
of Computer Worms:
E-mail
worms:
The spread of the virus is due to infected emails. There will
be an attachment or a link that is infected. The worm will be
activated when you either click on the attachment or the link.
The
known methods of the email worm to spread are the following:
MS outlook servers, direct connection of SMTP servers that use
their very own SMTP API and the Windows MAPI functions.
This
worm will then harvest an infected computer’s email addresses
to send out the worm. It will harvest it from the following:
WAB or windows address book database, MS outlook address book
and files that also have appropriate extensions will be scanned
to serve as strings via the email.
During
the sending period, some worms will construct new sender addresses.
It will be based on possible names combined with domain names
that are common. So the sender doesn’t necessarily need to be
the originator.
Instant
Message Worms:
A person will be sent an infected link via instant messaging
mediums such as Yahoo Messenger or MSN. The only difference
it has from email worms is how they are sent.
Internet
Worms:
These worms will scan all available network resources. It will
then use the local operating system services and scan the Internet
for machines that are vulnerable. It will then attempt to connect
with these machines and try to gain full access.
Another
way these worms work is that they scan the Internet for machines
that are vulnerable to be exploited. It will then send data
packets that will install the worm or a form of worm downloader.
IRC
worms:
The worms here work the same as email worms. The only difference
is that the medium is the chat channels. A person you are chatting
with will send files or links that are infected.
File-sharing
Worms:
It copies itself on a shared folder of the local machine. It
will place a copy of itself in a folder disguised in a harmless
name. The worm will then become ready to be downloaded via P2P
and the infected file will then spread.
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