What Is Malware?

Above is a video that I recommend watching before you go and read the entire post because this can do a summary of it and it will also give you the option to listen as well as read, so you can retain the information.
Read my full in depth post after the jump!

What Is Malware?

This is the very basic question that I am going to be answering. The answer is simple malware is short for Malicious Software. Many people will try to tell you that is a virus the answer is NO malware is the starting point viruses are a branch of malware. Don't get the 2 confused not to mention viruses are actually becoming less and less common and are being replaced by Trojans which I will explain in a later post. Trojans are already  the most common type of malware that you will encounter online. You will be thinking okay well then what is a virus? Hold on that will have to be a whole separate post it's self since these things are not black and white some forms of malware fit under the gray area.

What Is Malicious Software?

Malicious Software is the direct definition, but this is not a 100% true definition because for something to be classified as malware it does not have to be a program it can even an internet cookie of which some can be classified as malware. So you will be thinking that is great and all but how is something determined as malware. The answer to that is simple malware is basically any form of file/program/cookie anything that you can find that causes damage to your computer or data. You can look at it like this if you have downloaded a program from an unknown website and your computer start's slowing down or it downloads other programs without your consent that is malware. It is difficult to give a good analogy for it so if the above analogy does not make any sense disregard it.

How Do I Prevent Malware From Getting On My Computer? Free version

The most security you will ever get for free will have a set up like this.
Go here and download avast antivirus
Go here and download Comodo firewall
Optional Can conflict with bad updates.
Antispyware

These three programs if set up properly will give your computer the best security (according to testing and features) for free. Between these you have an award winning free antivirus a firewall that is known to be the best free one on the market and an antispyware that has had years of experience.

How Do I Prevent Malware From Getting On My Computer? Paid Version

Bitdefender Total Security 100% detection rate on av-test.org (this is not 100% safe these were the results of 2 tests)
Firewall: This is included in the total security suite.
Antispyware: Included with the package you can go to the above link if you want an on demand scanner,