IT Security threats

Virus - A virus is a programme created to purposely alter the way your computer system operates. It creates copies of itself to folders and files etc, when these files are opened it then may damage or also delete them, spreading themselves through attachments in e-mails, instant messengers and can also be contained on CD-ROMS and floppy disks etc.

Hackers -   A hacker is a individual person that gains unauthorised access to data within an IT system. There are different kinds of hackers such as a white hat hacker, a white hat hacker is someone that breaks through an IT security for a non-malicious reason.

Also a Grey hat hacker, a grey hat hacker is someone who surfs the web and hacks into a website to let the administrator know they have got into the system.

Next the Blue hat hacker, the blue at hacker is an individual from outside computer security firms to bug test a system looking for something to be exploited so it can be closed down.

A black hat hacker, also known as a cracker, is someone who breaks a computer security but without authorisation or uses technology for vandalism, fraud, identity theft or other illegal actions. 

Spyware, Adware and Malware - Spyware, one of the biggest internet threats today. It often arrives from a free programme that is downloaded from the net or in a attachment to an E-mail. It is used for advertising purposes as you will suddenly find pop up adverts appearing on your screen, even when you not connected online.  Also you may recognise a tool bar that you have not installed and type in a web address and this will take you to a completely different site, which is very similar to adware. 

More of a malicious type of spyware will not appear in that way, but instead can record every key stroke you make, which then someone may find out web addresses, personal information and also financial details, but the worst part about spyware is if you have one piece of spyware you may have a lot more than you know about. Some adware can also be classified as spyware, a type of Malware which steals information. For example Bonzi-BUDDY, an application marketed as an "Intelligent software agent", corrupted many of the user's system files, forcing the display of many obscene advertisements and the main application logged browsing details and sent them to various third parties.