Understanding Malicious Software and Microsoft Security Bulletins

There are many classes of malicious software, also known as malware. In general, this document refers to malware that is transmitted through e-mail and that is self-propagating as viruses and worms. It is helpful to understand the basic terminology used for various types of malicious software.

After you have a basic understanding of the different types of malicious software, visit the Microsoft Security Bulletin Search Web site and verify that all Microsoft software running in your organization is up-to-date.

Recommendations

• Learn how to distinguish a virus from a worm from a Trojan horse and so on.

• Learn how to keep Microsoft software current with the latest updates. This is one of the most important actions you can take to help slow and stop viruses.

Resources

• For more information about how the types of malicious software are defined, see the "Defining Malware: FAQ" Web site.

• For security bulletins, see the "Microsoft Security Bulletin Search" Web site.