Malicious Software otherwise known as Malware, poses one of the biggest threats to internet users today. Malicious software can be broken down into categories which include: computer viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware among others. Malware has the ability to hijack your web browser, redirect your search engine, attempts to clutter your screen with annoying pop-up advertisements and can also have the ability to monitor your online activity. Primarily malware will cause severe disruption to your use of the computer and cause it to become terribly slow and unstable. If malware is not removed immediately, this type of program can eventually cause your system to become inoperable.

Malware typically hides deep within the Windows registry, making it very difficult to manually remove. When this occurs, your computer may become so unstable that installing a malware removal tool may be impossible; this is due to the fact that the malware has been programmed to prevent new software being installed on the PC and in some cases prevent known software from opening at all - despite it being installed on the infected PC beforehand.

Malware will find its way to your system in various ways. Most often it is included in the installation of some freeware applications. Other methods are clicking on site adverts, or opening suspicious emails/attachments which can then forward the same malware onto other people in your contact list or address book. Being a user of Microsoft products makes you a prime target for malware. Outlook, Outlook Express, the Internet Explorer browser and Windows itself are known for having numerous security vulnerabilities, enabling malicious coders to exploit a victim's system and infect it with viruses, worms or spyware. Unfortunately, catching an infection is much easier than eradicating it.

Although viruses are one of the most common forms, not all anti-virus programs will remove malware. There are some specialist software programs which can be executed which can assist in the removal of malware.