BleepingComputer.com: Which Is The Worst Computer Infection?

which do you think is the worst computer infection

spyware-adware-trojan-dialer-rootkit-virus-keylogger-worms


i personally think trojans are the worst, most people will say virus are but i disagree, dont know why just do, they are the most often spread


(Moderator edit: clarified Topic Title. jgweed)

This post has been edited by jgweed: 28 May 2008 - 08:05 AM

Well I think they're all bad. I wouldn't want to get infected with any of those malwares. Well the worst infection you can have is a rookit for me. I personally think that they are just dangerous. They don't appear as much as viruses but if you do get infected that would be scary. Rookits hides away and that you can't even see it. So I definatly wouldn't want to be infected with a rookit.

Extremeboy

I would also say Rootkits and Backdoors

A rootkit is a collection of tools (programs) that enable administrator-level access to a computer or computer network. Typically, a cracker installs a rootkit on a computer after first obtaining user-level access, either by exploiting a known vulnerability or cracking a password. Once the rootkit is installed, it allows the attacker to mask intrusion and gain root or privileged access to the computer and, possibly, other machines on the network.


A backdoor in a computer system (or cryptosystem or algorithm) is a method of bypassing normal authentication, securing remote access to a computer, obtaining access to plaintext, and so on, while attempting to remain undetected. The backdoor may take the form of an installed program (e.g., Back Orifice), or could be a modification to an existing program or hardware device.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdoor_(computing)

I would definitely say Rookits are the worst infection. They use malware to hide from "detection" (signature based mechanism) Anti-virus/Anti-spyware software, So you really need to have a strong Firewall & a good setup... Especially in our days... Increasing number of malware is growing.

Josh

Mebroot is a Trojan horse that overwrites the Master Boot Record of the hard disk and uses rootkit techniques to hide itself.

System Management Mode (smm) Rootkit runs in a protected part of a computer's memory that can be locked and rendered invisible to the operating system.

Virut/Virtob is a file infector virus with IRC bot functionality which infects all .exe and .scr files, downloads more malicious files to your system, and opens a back door that compromises your computer. In many cases the infected files cannot be deleted and anti-malware scanners cannot disinfect them properly. When disinfection is attempted, the files become corrupted and the system may become irreparable.

This post has been edited by quietman7: 27 May 2008 - 10:08 AM

I would say rootkit too is the the worst.

The most insidious of Virii, is user ignorance and apathy. Because all that does is continue to spread and manifest whatever crapware there is in existence.

Animal, on May 28 2008, 05:44 PM, said:

must admit I thoroughly agree with this

when you look around different sites and forums and see how some folks 'treat' their machines? the users themselves are a danger to the computer and they could not give a monkeys about any computer health and hygiene ....let alone speading the infections

I had mebroot few month ago it was a nightmare,ended off with a new harddrive