Exploits Kit

Malware is lurking around every corner, trying to infect your computer, but it needs a way to get into that computer and that is where exploits or exploit kits come into play. They are highly effective methods of getting malware into your system by exploiting (hence the name) flaws in programs and applications.

Most of us get infections on our machines without even knowing it, they are sneaky and they are quite undetectable, until we find our computers are running slowly or crash all together. Exploits work by finding weaknesses in the security system you are running. You don't have to do anything like open an attachment or upload anything, instead they are embedded in reputable sites or on ads on those reputable sites and once you are on that site, the process begins.

Once on a website, the exploit kits go to work looking for weaknesses in your operating system and/or programs that you have running. If there are any security flaws, no matter how small, it will find them and then barge right into your computer through those 'holes'. There is pre-built code at work here, and they can bypass the security system all together as they sneak through already existing holes. To clarify, exploits are not malware, but they are ways to deliver the goods to many unsuspecting users. They are called kits because of the many parts and pieces of code that are needed to infect your machine.

Now you may think that if you are being infected by a specific site you'd know about it, but that's the way they operate, they will redirect you to an invisible landing page that you are not aware of to do their dirty deeds. Ransomware is something that is infecting machines all over the place using this technique.

Furthermore, the bad guys don't embed the exploits on pages that are rarely used, instead they try to get the most users at one time and infect them all at once. Some top targets are Internet Explorer, Flash, Java and Microsoft Office to name just a few.

Software companies do try to combat this problem with updates, fixes and patches to seal off the 'holes' that exploits are getting in by, so the best way to protect yourself is to keep everything updated, while it is annoying to have so many updates, it is a good thing to do so you can be further protected from intruders.

Having computer problems? We can help! Infotech Computers specializes in computer and laptop repair and is a full service shop serving the communities of the GTA. No matter the brand or model we can fix it! Visit http://www.infotechcomputers.ca to find out more today.


 By Amanda J Hales


Article Source:  Exploits Kit