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'''Malicious software''' (or '''malware'''), often generically called viruses, is [[computer]] [[software]] which deliberately does something harmful to your computer.<ref>malware. Dictionary.com. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware], (accessed: July 13, 2011).</ref> Once downloaded, malware can be passed from one computer to another. Malware is usually downloaded to a computer by hiding inside rogue (and sometimes legitimate) software packages: the ''Trojan horse'' (or ''Trojan'').<ref>Definition: [http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/Trojan-horse Trojan horse], searchsecurity.techtarget.com, (Accessed July 13, 2011).</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307602,00.html Apple Macintoshes Targeted by Porn-Based Computer Virus], [[Fox News|FOXNews.com]], November 02, 2007.</ref> While Mac malware is scarcer than [[Windows (operating system)|Windows]] malware, Macs can pass on files that contain malware to Windows users, and one line of defense is to use a Mac [[Anti-virus software|antivirus]] that detects and stops Windows viruses as well as Mac malware.
'''Malicious software''' (or '''malware'''), often generically called viruses, is [[computer]] [[software]] which deliberately does something harmful to your computer.<ref>malware. Dictionary.com. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware], (accessed: July 13, 2011).</ref> Once downloaded, malware can be passed from one computer to another. Malware is usually downloaded to a computer by hiding inside rogue (and sometimes legitimate) software packages: the ''Trojan horse'' (or ''Trojan'').<ref>Definition: [http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/Trojan-horse Trojan horse], searchsecurity.techtarget.com, (Accessed July 13, 2011).</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307602,00.html Apple Macintoshes Targeted by Porn-Based Computer Virus], [[Fox News|FOXNews.com]], November 02, 2007.</ref>
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
===Infectious Mobile Devices===
===Infectious Mobile Devices===
[[Android]] devices and some versions of the [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] iOS mobile operating system are vulnerable to malicious code contained in PDF files.<ref>Amy Gahran. [http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-11/tech/gahran.ios.malware_1_pdf-files-ios-iphone?_s=PM:TECH iPhone, iPad users: Watch out for malicious PDF files], ''[[CNN]]'', July 11, 2011.</ref><ref>''The Mac Security Blog''. [http://blog.intego.com/2011/07/07/iphone-pdf-vulnerability-creates-security-risks-allows-easy-jailbreaks/ iOS PDF Vulnerability Creates Security Risks, Allows Easy Jailbreaks], blog.intego.com, July 7, 2011.</ref> Security researchers at [[Intego]] noted that while there is currently no known malware for iOS, files that flow through mobile devices and into [[home]] and [[office]] computers by email or remote storage can contain malware and worms that are harmful to the Mac and Windows operating systems.<ref>Killian Bell. [http://www.cultofmac.com/integos-virusbarrier-for-ios-will-stop-your-iphone-from-being-a-typhoid-mary/104264 Intego’s VirusBarrier for iOS Will Stop Your iPhone From Being A Typhoid Mary], ''Cult of Mac'', July 12, 2011.</ref> For example, once infected, an [[iPhone]] would act as an [[asymptomatic carrier]], allowing [[criminal|cybercriminals]] to access confidential information, intercept phone conversations or take over other aspects of the infected device.
[[Android]] devices and some versions of the [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] iOS mobile operating system are vulnerable to malicious code contained in PDF files.<ref>Amy Gahran. [http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-11/tech/gahran.ios.malware_1_pdf-files-ios-iphone?_s=PM:TECH iPhone, iPad users: Watch out for malicious PDF files], ''[[CNN]]'', July 11, 2011.</ref><ref>''The Mac Security Blog''. [http://blog.intego.com/2011/07/07/iphone-pdf-vulnerability-creates-security-risks-allows-easy-jailbreaks/ iOS PDF Vulnerability Creates Security Risks, Allows Easy Jailbreaks], blog.intego.com, July 7, 2011.</ref> Security researchers at [[Intego]] noted that while there is currently no known malware for iOS, files that flow through mobile devices and into [[home]] and [[office]] computers by email or remote storage can contain malware and worms that are harmful to the Mac and Windows operating systems.<ref>Killian Bell. [http://www.cultofmac.com/integos-virusbarrier-for-ios-will-stop-your-iphone-from-being-a-typhoid-mary/104264 Intego’s VirusBarrier for iOS Will Stop Your iPhone From Being A Typhoid Mary], ''Cult of Mac'', July 12, 2011.</ref> For example, once infected, an [[iPhone]] would act as an [[asymptomatic carrier]], allowing [[criminal|cybercriminals]] to access confidential information, intercept phone conversations or take over other aspects of the infected device.
=== Mac Malware ===
While Mac malware is scarcer than [[Windows (operating system)|Windows]] malware, over the last ten years threats targeting Mac OS X have been on the rise and have become more sophisticated.<ref>[https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/10-years-of-mac-malware-how-os-x-threats-have-evolved/ 10 Years of Mac Malware: How OS X Threats Have Evolved (Infographic)]</ref> In addition, Macs can pass on files that contain malware to Windows users. For this reason, a layered approach to security is the best defense, including the use of a [[firewall]] and Mac [[Anti-virus software|antivirus]] that detects and stops Windows viruses as well as Mac malware.
===Other Malware===
===Other Malware===