The World Wide Web is a dangerous place to be. There are different kinds of internet security threat that can cause harm in so many ways. It is important to know about them and manage to avoid them. Here is a list of the different types of internet security threats to be aware of:

Malware
Malware is the short form of “malicious software.” It is an umbrella term that is used to denote different forms of intrusive, annoying or hostile software or program code.

Rogue security software
Rogue security software is available as a pop-up window. It shows you a security alert or update. It instructs the user to remove malware that it has detected or install the update by clicking on a link. This kind of alert may look legitimate, but they are rogue security software. They lure computer users into downloading malware. Microsoft has a dedicated page on its website that states in details about rogue security software and how you protect your computer from them.

Trojan horse
Any computer can get infected with a Trojan horse by downloading a legitimate looking application which is malicious in reality. Once a Trojan horse gets into a computer, it can do anything it wants. It can hijack your webcam to watch and record everything or get hold of your passwords by logging keystrokes.

Botnet
A botnet is formed of two words “robot” and “network.” It is a string of internet-connected devices that have been hijacked by a hacker or third party using a Trojan horse or computer virus. Each computer in this group is known as a “zombie” computer. A “botmaster” or “bot herder” commands the botnet to execute despicable activities. One activity could be spreading spam to the email contacts on each zombie computer. If a botnet is comprised of a relatively large group of computers, it may be used to access a targeted website synchronously which is known as a denial-of-service attack. This attack is done with the intention of bringing down a web server by overwhelming access requests.

Phishing
When cybercriminals make fraudulent attempts to get hold of private information, such an act is known as phishing. They are scams which appear in the disguise of emails. They seem to be from legitimate sources but in reality, they are not. Such emails may lure you to give up your personal information. It may say that your email service provider or bank is updating its website. They would give you a link where you need you to verify your account and password details.

Social engineering
There are social engineering tricks like quid-pro-quo, pretexting, tailgating, etc. Quid-pro-quo refers to the people being tricked into giving personal and bank details for getting bogus offers or prizes. Pretexting is people impersonating as a legal authority and robbing others of personal and other sensitive data.

Back doors
These programs or codes enter into a website by bringing down security restrictions without the website administrator’s knowledge.

Rootkit
A rootkit is basically a collection of tools that are used to gain administrator access to a PC or a network of PCs. A rootkit can be installed on your PC by a cybercriminal who may find a security loophole or vulnerability in any application on your PC. It may have spyware that records and monitors keystrokes.

Hijacking
Hijacking is the process of injecting malware by the attacker, taking control of the computer system and to take the user to another home page or website. There are three types of hijacking: network, website, and browser hijacking.

Brute Force
The process in through exhaustive key search attack or brute force works is hacking encrypted messages or data. Special software is used to break down the user IDs, passwords, and messages. Once the attacker gets access, he will install a back door for further use in case the passwords keep changing.

The best way to prevent any kind of internet security threat or breach is to install a good antivirus or Internet security system software on your computer.