Computer crime legislation passed in various countries may be the reason for the steady decline of new Viruses in 2005.

	WEEKLY REPORTS Solutions, Prevention & Remedies Top 10 Threats

Earlier this month, Panda Software, an Anti-virus software company, released data stating that less than one percent of new threats detected by their programs last year were Viruses.

The classic Virus differs from Trojans, Backdoors and Spyware in that it adds extra code to your system and is primarily only used to garner fame for the creator of the threat. According to Panda, since most Viruses do not collect personal or financial information, the risk of getting caught is too high for hackers, especially in areas with computer crime legislation.

The numbers corresponding to threats that can be used for financial gain remain high. The study shows that of the new threats discovered last year, over 40 percent were Trojans, over 10 percent were Backdoors, and 3 percent were Adware or Spyware.

Information, Protection and Prevention -- More about Viruses, Trojans, Backdoors and other threats
• Panda Software report on number of threats
• Panda's glossary of terms

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* Reading: Solutions, Prevention & Remedies
Additional summary information related to a specific type of solution or prevention that you should be considering. Depending upon the week, this section may have:
• Recent Windows security releases from Microsoft
• Recent updates to widely used anti-spyware programs
• Recent updates to widely used anti-virus programs
• Recent updates to other security programs & devices (ex: Firewalls, routers)
• Recent updates to various applications in wide use

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Read: Top Threats
These are viruses that are currently on the watch lists of major anti-virus software companies.

Name
What the threat is called. We use the name given each virus by Panda Software. Sometimes other anti-virus companies give the same threat a different name. Usually they use similar names.

Type
There are different characteristics associated with different types of threats.
• Virus - has the ability to replicate or infect computers or other programs
• Trojan Horse (or Trojan) - appear to be harmless programs when you get them. They unleash their payload when you double-click, open, or execute them.
• Phishing - a Web site or e-maill message posing as another company - usually one you know to fool you into giving the sender personal information.
• Worm - self replicates onto additional disks, computers or networks
• Spyware - installs on your system to collect information about your activity, preferences or interests
• Hoax - false messages sent by e-maill to mislead the recipient
• Backdoors - opens a security hole that allows outsiders to take control of your computer
• Dialer - uses your telephone to dial an outside number - sometimes a number that costs you money when dialed

Affects
Not all viruses affect all types of systems. Some, for example may affect only Windows 98 and 95, but not Windows XP or NT. Others affect all Windows systems, but not Macintosh. In this column, we show you the consumer systems that the threat is known to affect. We don't always include the servers that operate in your company's backroom.

Alert level
The level of awareness that anti-virus vendors suggest you need to have for each threat listed.
For each threat listed, we'll post a corresponding link here, so you can get more information to help you recognize, diagnose, prevent, and repair the problem.