I got an email from a client yesterday, saying that she had read about malware, and it including ID fraud, and adware. I also was involved in a slight mishap on another website, where the person talking to me had said that adware was not malicious. To be honest, it depends on how the adware is manipulated. I will work that in to the other thoughts I have.

Malware is a term describing software meant to harm or infiltrate your computer. Whether you have given it consent or not, it still can take control over a computer. Two biggest dangers of malware are: stealing information and the manipulative use of botnets. Malware writers use botnets to take control of your computer and use it as a base for launching phishing or malicious attacks through email and over the Internet - as well as through a network (wired or wireless). Malware is the most common pathway for criminals to steal your information via the Internet.

Malicious domains are considered domains (websites) that attempt to steal your identity or harm your computer. By launching attacks directly or indirectly, malicious domains have the power to send downloads to your computer or launch botnets.

Adware is a very vague term, and should be re-worded. "Honest" adware, is considered legitimate software that includes advertisements that help support it. Usually the ads are tracked. "Dishonest" adware is the most common type, and considered malware - because it initially does not do everything it describes it will do, and launches ads and ad tracking devices (including cookies) on to your computer. Ad tracking, when used correctly, is described as measuring the effectiveness of an ad. Misuse of ad tracking involves using ad tracking to gain a slew of personal information, to help steal your identity. The more information it collects...the closer it is to steal your identity.

When "dishonest" adware becomes worse, it evolves in to spyware/adware hybrid. Therefore, making it another form of malware called PIS. PIS is considered "privacy-invasive software." It is a category of software that ignores the user's privacy, and submits all of your personal information to third party sources.

Third parties are the absolute worst, when the third party is not directly affiliated and involved with the website. When the terms-of-service for a website say third party...Read Carefully. If it says it will submit your personal information to third party sources...DECLINE the terms of service. There is a reason why many sites and softwares have given the ability to accept or decline a license agreement. It is so you have control of your identity. Why slumber in to a trap by not reading the terms of service or the end-user license agreement? If something bad were to happen to you while using a website or software, you have lost the argument before it begins. By reading the terms of service before accepting them, it gives you the opportunity to see your available actions if the site or software was not what it was described to be.

Scams are the easiest form of identity theft. A company provides a service or money-making opportunity, but it only trying to steal your money and your identity. When the company asks you for payment, it receives the money and is paid. While you, on the other hand, have a lousy service. This lousy service not only does not do what it is described, but steals your money as well. The best thing to do, is to first try to get your money back from the company. If the company takes you through a loop, call your bank and ask for a charge-back. Explain to your bank that the service was not what it had described to be.

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