What is Malicious Code?
Malicious Code is a new kind of threat which cannot be blocked by anti-virus software alone. In contrast to viruses (which require a user to execute a program in order to cause damage), malicious code is an auto-executable application. It can take the form of Java Applets, ActiveX controls, plug-ins, pushed content, scripting languages, or a number of new programming languages designed to enhance Web pages and email. Early in 1997, a serious threat that involved a free Plug-In advertised as a multimedia viewer for Web movies was exposed. The free Plug-In silently redirected the computer’s modem from the Internet access line to a pay-per-minute number which cost users thousands of dollars in phone bills. Within a few months of this attack, a hacker organization used an ActiveX control to transfer funds by modifying Quicken files located on the local drives of people viewing their web page. In 1999, a program called “Picture.EXE” forwarded the usernames and passwords of many America Onli
Malicious Code code is a general term for spyware, keystroke loggers, screen shot software, adware and popups, dialers, joke programs, hacking tools, remote access tools, rootkits, password cracking applications, and any other software that can compromise the security on your computer. You should also protect against Viruses How Do I get Malicious Code on My Computer and what are the risks? Malicious code is downloaded to your computer generally either when visiting a malicious site on the Internet or is downloaded when you click on an infected email attachment. Malicious code can collect information from your computer and so gather personal information about you. This information can include your passwords, bank and computer account details, email addresses, web browsing history, etc. This is an invasion of privacy and there is a risk of identify theft and loss of confidential information.
