Home Glossary

Glossary  

This glossary contains many of the terms you will find throughout the SpywareRemove.com website.

P

packer, packed executable
Executable files are compressed with a packer that make the file more compact and encrypt the original code. The packed executable can restore its size and/or convert coded data in memory while it is operating, so that the file on the disk never resembles memory image of the file. Packers are created to eschew security software, impede from reveres engineering, or submission of a copy protection of certain level.

parasitic infector
A virus that affects files on a disk by inserting its code into the original file where it is located. As soon as the user launches the infected file, the virus is activated too. See also file infector.

password cracker
It is a program whose purpose is to make the user or administrator to recover lost or forgotten passwords from accounts on data files. These tools can help the assaulter to access secret information; therefore it is considered a threat for security and privacy.

password stealer
It is a type of Trojan that is intentionally used for stealing user’s passwords.

patch releases
Intermediate issues of a product designed for solving specific problems.

payload
The malicious code in a virus rather than the portions that are used to avoid spotting or duplication. The payload code can cause data destruction; can send messages with insulting text or graphics. However, not all viruses include an intentional payload. Nevertheless, it can endanger CPU usage, affect hard-disk space, and time taken for deleting them. Payload is regarded as data or packets distributed during an assault. See also shellcode.

PDA
Abbreviation of "Personal Digital Assistant". A hand-held device that integrates telephone/fax, computing, Internet, and networking functions.

pharming
A method used to divert Internet traffic to a bogus website through domain spoofing. It means creation of a hoax DNS record for an actual website, usually for a bank or a trade company. DNS diverts traffic from the actual existing website to the hoax with intention to corrupt personal data of the customers. It happens when a user types the URL of a bank into the browser, the browser carries out a DNS search in order to establish the IP address of the bank’s website. DNS servers contain a list of domains and their IP addresses. Hackers penetrate fake information into DNS server in order that the bank’s IP addresses are diverted to the fake IP addresses. However, on the user’s browser, the website appears as authentic.

phishing
It is a criminal activity which means fraudulently acquiring personal information as passwords, social security numbers, credit cards passwords, sending spoofed e-mails that make impression as if they are sent from authentic sources, such as banks or other legal institutions. Normally, phishing e-mails ask the recipients to follow the links received in the e-mail to confirm or update credit card or contact details. The same as spam, phishing e-mail are distributed to plenty of e-mail addresses with the hope that somebody will read it and reveal personal information.

ping
A basic Internet utility that lets you verify whether a specific IP address is accessible. You can ping diagnostically to troubleshoot Internet connections.

ping attack
The method by which the network is slowed down until it’s unusable.

ping of death
Is a denial of service (DoS) attack caused by an attacker by sending an oversized ICMP packet to a target. On many operating systems, the packet size overflows the buffer and may cause system crash, reboot or freeze. See buffer overflow.

polymorphic virus
A virus that can change its virus signature when it replicates, and avoids detection by an antivirus program by infecting a new file.

polymorphic/polymorphism
A virus that avoids its detection when changes its structure or its encryption techniques. Polymorphism means the occurrence of different forms, stages or types. To avoid detection by antiviral scanners, the viral code is encrypted.

port
Area in a hardware for transferring income and outcome data of a computing device. There can be different types of ports on personal computers. It includes internal ports for connecting monitors, keyboards, disk drives, for connecting modems, printers, and other devices. In TCP/IP and UDP networks, port is the name of an end point to a logical connection. Port numbers identify what kind of port it is.

port scanning
A hacking technique used to scan computer’s ports to realize which services are available for use, and to define the operating system of a specific machine.

portable executable (PE)
A common file format determines the structure that executable files (.EXE) and Dynamic Link Libraries (.DLL) utilize for loading and execution by Windows OS.

potentially unwanted program (PUP)
Potentially unwanted programs is a term which describes unwanted programs like spyware, adware, and malware, and could be installed without user’s consent or knowledge.

protocol
A set of regulations that enable data transmission among the computers and helps to avoid errors. The regulations perform functions such as checking for errors and compression of data. Also see communications protocol.

proxy/proxies
It is a software that diverts information aiming to an IP address, domain name, or Internet traffic to a password stealer. See password stealer.

Back to Top