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Malware

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Forensically Speaking

Malware is a category of malicious code that includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Destructive malware will utilize popular communication tools to spread, including worms sent through email and instant messages, Trojan horses dropped from Web sites, and virus-infected files downloaded from peer-to-peer connections. Malware will also seek to exploit existing vulnerabilities on systems making their entry quiet and easy.

Getting a Positive I.D. on the Perp

Malware works to remain unnoticed, either by actively hiding or by simply not making its presence on a system known to the user.

Protect Yourself: Leave the Fairy Tales to the Kids

• Only open email or IM attachments that come from a trusted source and that are expected
• Have email attachments automatically scanned by Norton Internet Security™ prior to opening
• Delete all unwanted messages without opening
• Do not click on Web links sent by someone you do not know
• If a person on your buddy list is sending strange messages, files, or Web site links, terminate your IM session
• Scan all files with an Internet security solution before transferring them to your system
• Only transfer files from a well-known source
• Use Norton Internet Security to block unsolicited outbound communication
• Keep security patches up to date