Malware

Malware, a portmanteau from the words malicious and software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.[1] The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware and other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, for instance in the legal codes of several U. S. states, including California and West Virginia.[2][3]

Malware is not the same as defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs.

Preliminary results from Symantec published in 2008 suggested that "the release rate of malicious code and other unwanted programs may be exceeding that of legitimate software applications."[4] According to F-Secure, "As much malware [was] produced in 2007 as in the previous 20 years altogether."[5] Malware's most common pathway from criminals to users is through the Internet: primarily by e-mail and the World Wide Web.

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Malware Alarm

Malware Alarm, developed by SS Development and Russian Business Network, is a rogue anti-spyware program which poses as a legitimate and installs itself onto a user's PC through the Zlob trojan. It attempts to persuade users to buy the software by displaying pop-ups and advertisements.


Method of Infection

Malware Alarm may be downloaded by the Zlob trojan. When executed, it may run supposed scans for spyware and give exaggerated claims about its findings, in order to persuade, or scare the user to purchase the product.[2].
“ MalwareAlarm an award-winning spyware removal utility will help you fighting all kinds of spyware and adware including keyloggers, trojan horses, password thieves and on. With new and unique protection module once cleaned your machine will not get infected ever again. ”

Users are advised not to provide any payment information. Most commercial antivirus software should be capable of removal; this threat was discovered in 2007.


Symptoms of infection

Symptoms include:

* Redirects to Malware Alarm's website while browsing using Internet Explorer

* Other malware being downloaded

* Pop-ups persuading users to buy the software


Removal

Most reputable antivirus software should be able to facilitate the detection and removal of Malware Alarm. The following files are related to Malware Alarm (Note: legitimate files with these names could be found in other locations than Malware Alarm):

* xpupdate.exe
* install1387.exe
* malwarealarm.exe
* malwarealarm1.ma
* malwarealarmsetup.exe
* install
* install1387.exe
* xpupdate.exe
* uninstall.exe
* malwarealarmsetup.exe
* malwarealarm.exe

Users are advised to delete matching files immediately; they possibly could harbor Malware Alarm.

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