Antivirus glossary
Adware – a type of advertising software whose aim is to deliver advertising files in a way unwanted or unexpected by users.
Antispyware – special software whose aim is to find, check and destroy all kinds of spyware from users' computers. This type of software scans a system after being installed. It also prevents all future spyware attacks.
Antivirus – software that finds and destroys all viruses which attack your computer. It also prevents all future viruses' attacks by constant scan of your system.
Anti-Trojan – software which was made to detect and destroy all types of Trojans that attack your computer. Anti-Trojan scans your system and prevents your computer from all future attacks.
Archive – a backup version of your files. It's created for the moments when you need to restore your system after attack. They are usually compressed as .rar or .zip.
Attachment – a file attached to emails. Remember, that some viruses or malicious spyware can be present there, and it's embedded when you open this file.
Backdoor – a "doorway" into your system used by operators for installation of malicious software. Antiviruses can detect and protect such backdoors. They are sometimes left purposely by programmers in case of emergency.
BIOS (Basic Input Output Systems) – the most important part of software which must be found in your computer to make it work. BIOS exist on the motherboard of your computer in a special chip, and they are the first thing to run when you switch your computer off. BIOS also maintain the content of your computer when its power is switched off.
Blacklist – a list of emails which are marked by users as unwanted. Blacklists are used by software to prevent spam.
Blended Threat – a type of threat which combines the characteristics of different malicious programs: it can be a worm, Trojan, various viruses and other codes.
Boot Sector Virus – a virus which affects a hard disk of your operating system.
Bot – software which runs automated tasks via the Internet. Bots can exert both good and bad influence on your computer.
Bug – a term used for any problem found in software.
Chain letter – an email that stimulates users to resend it to other people.
Client computer – a computer which runs a program.
Companion virus – a virus which stores itself and names its copies similar to another file to stimulate users to open it.
Disabled - a status given to a program when it is not available.
Disinfection – a process of cleaning up your computer from various types of malicious software and viruses.
Distribution – a measure how quickly a virus or any other threat can spread.
Download – to transfer data from one computer to another. As a rule, this process is done over the Internet.
Downloader – a program which downloads malicious software to your computer without your permission.
Dropper – a file which was created exactly for introducing a worm or virus into a system.
Encrypted Virus – such type of viruses uses encryption to hide from scanners.
Executable files – any type of files which enables your program to launch. They can be both good and bad: it depends on what they intend to do.
Exploit - a file which makes flaws in your system in order to take control of it. It can download worms and viruses, access your confidential data or crash your software.
False Positive – an incorrect report about a safe file containing a virus. Usually, it disappears after the next scan is complete.
Farming – an automatic re-direction of users to incorrect IP-addresses.
Firewall – software that controls and filters all information which passes through it. It is used to protect computer networks from unauthorized access.
File Virus – a virus that lays "quietly" in a safe file, and shows itself only when this file is executed. After that this virus becomes active and destroys a file. To avoid that, it is often necessary to delete the file itself. You can always recover that file from a backup copy (if you have it).
Grayware – undesirable programs which, nevertheless, are less serious than malware. It includes spyware, joke programs and adware.
Heuristics – a scanning technology aimed to protect your computer from malware attacks.
Hoax – a fake warning made by malicious software's programmers. Usually, such a warning contains a virus which becomes active at once you open it.
Intrusion Detection – a service that monitors your system and warns you about an unauthorized access.
Joke – a computer program which is designed to be considered as a virus. It doesn't create own copies and can be easily deleted without doing any harm to your computer. The aim of a joke is to waste your time and cause alarm.
Junk – a program which doesn't work as a virus anymore.
Key logger – spyware which catches and remembers your every keyboard stroke: it captures logins and passwords in such a way.
Macro virus – a type of viruses that is hidden within some file. This file should be executed in order to activate such a virus.
Malware – a type of software that causes harm to a system. Malware includes spyware, viruses, adware, rootkits, key loggers and so one.
Malicious behavior – it describes a situation, when a file shows characteristics or behavior as if it was malware. As a result, such a file is blocked to prevent any damage it could cause.
Master Boot Record – the first disk's sector which contains a master boot loader and a partition table.
Misunderstanding – a problem which is considered to be a virus by mistake.
Name – it is considered to be every detected viruses, worm, Trojan or family of viruses. All viruses within one family will have one name.
Network – a number of computers connected to share information.
On-Demand Scanner – a technology that scans your computer on-demand. All antiviruses usually have this feature, and they can easily scan your computer whenever you choose.
Payload - a destroying activity that is performed to the host by a virus.
Payload trigger – the condition which causes a virus to activate a payload.
Phishing – an illegal method of gathering information from users (login, passwords, credit cards' numbers etc.)
Polymorphic Viruses – a type of viruses which can change themselves to avoid detection.
Port – an interface to send and receive data through.
Quarantine – a method to isolate potentially unsafe files in a way they can't be opened.
Real-time Scanner – a technology that scans your computer continuously to prevent incoming malware attacks.
Rootkit – a malicious program that is created to take control of your computer's operating system.
Safe Mode - a diagnostic mode of a computer operating system. When your system works in such a mode, it is much easier to isolate problems, though it will work slower.
Scare – a warning about a greatly exaggerated threat.
Social Engineering – a computer attack when a victim is tricked to install malicious software to a computer.
Spam – a big number of unwanted advertisements. Usually, it is delivered in emails or adware. As a rule, spam is not dangerous, but, nevertheless, it can include viruses sometimes.
Spyware – a set of applications that send your computer's information to a third party without your permission.
Suspicious file – a file which has properties and characteristics of malware, but it doesn't mean to be infected.
Test file – a file that is not infected, but antiviruses still react to it. Such files are usually created by administrators to check if their antivirus works correctly.
Threat assessment - a rating that shows the severity of a virus.
Time bomb - a virus that doesn't show itself until a specific date or time. After that it becomes active.
Trojan – a virus that pretends to be something else upon execution.
Upload - to send a file.
Variants – new versions of the same viruses which use a part of their codes.
Virus – a program or code created to affect other programs, documents, files etc. and cause different degrees of dames. Viruses can easily replicate themselves onto other files.
Virus Definitions – software which can identify viruses: it checks files for each known virus.
Virus signature file – a list of known viruses which helps antiviruses identify and block them.
Whitelist – a list of good and "friendly" email addresses; the opposite to a "blacklist".
Worm - a program designed to create its own copies and send them to other computers. It may not necessarily be viruses, but it can create a backdoor for other viruses to exploit.
Zero-day – a new threat released before its signature was added to a virus signature file. Thus, antiviruses will not be able to detect and destroy it at once, and it may cause a lot of damage.