TYPES OF VULNERABILITIES IN PERSONAL COMPUTERS

In computer security, a vulnerability is a weakness which allows an attacker to reduce a system's information assurance. Vulnerability is the intersection of three elements: a system susceptibility or flaw, attacker access to the flaw, and attacker capability to exploit the flaw.To exploit a vulnerability, an attacker must have at least one applicable tool or technique that can connect to a system weakness. In this frame, vulnerability is also known as the attack surface.
Vulnerability management is the cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, remediating, and mitigating vulnerabilities.This practice generally refers to software vulnerabilities in computing systems.A security risk may be classified as a vulnerability.

Below is the list of some of the vulnerabilities found in PCs :

VIRUS :

VIRUS is that program ,that copies itself.It spreads from one file to another and from one computer to another.It can spread through card readers, pen drives from one system to another.A computer virus is a program that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive; when this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected".

MALWARE :

MALWARE and VIRUS both are different terms. Malware is a general term, it means malicious software that means anything that harms your personal computer.Malware, short for malicious software, is any software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. It can appear in the form of executable code, scripts, active content, and other software.'Malware' is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software.

SPYWARE :

SPYWARE is software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent, or that asserts control over a computer without the consumer's knowledge."Spyware" is mostly classified into four types: system monitors, trojans, adware, and tracking cookies.Spyware is mostly used for the purposes of tracking and storing Internet users' movements on the Web and serving up pop-up ads to Internet users.

SCAREWARE :

SCAREWARE included into the class of malware known as Rogueware, comprises several classes of ransomware or scam software with malicious payloads, usually of limited or no benefit, that are sold to consumers via certain unethical marketing practices. The selling approach uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat, generally directed at an unsuspecting user.

ADWARE :

ADWARE, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically renders advertisements in order to generate revenue for its author. The advertisements may be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during the installation process. The functions may be designed to analyze which Internet sites the user visits and to present advertising pertinent to the types of goods or services featured there. The term is sometimes used to refer to software that displays unwanted advertisements.

 To protect PC from vulnerabilities - ANTIVIRUS :

To protect personal computers from all these vulnerabilities, use antivirus.

ANTIVIRUS or anti-virus software (often abbreviated as AV) is computer software used to prevent, detect and remove malicious software.

Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the name. However, with the proliferation of other kinds of Malware, antivirus software started to provide protection from other computer threats.

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