Hannaford's breach is a warning for your PC

The surprising attack on a supermarket's network shows the importance of sweeping for malware.

from the April 2, 2008 edition

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You need security protection, of course. But hackers have been interested primarily in getting into large databases of information – your one credit-card number isn't worth their time and effort. I'm not sure about that anymore. Increasingly sophisticated malware is quickly changing the equation, and the Hannaford case shows how smart the bad guys are.

For those unfamiliar with malware, it's software designed to infiltrate, hide in, or damage computers. It tries to install itself without a person's knowledge. Malware can include computer viruses such as worms and Trojan horses, but the category also includes spyware, dishonest adware, keystroke loggers, dialers, and other malicious and unwanted software.

Malware is most often identified by its intent. Often, the creator of a malware program has a specific purpose: The individual may want information of some kind, or want to damage a particular institution or individual.

Malware can also just be plain annoying. Your computer's running slow? Often it's adware and spyware sucking down your PC's processing power.

Malware can find its way onto your computer in many, many ways. Sneaking in via e-mail is just one route. Websites can drop adware on your computer, as can blogs or electronic gadgets. (A recent line of digital picture frames came with a virus installed on them.)

Many of these devices come from China, and experts say viruses and malware make their way onto equipment because of poor quality control. It's the computer equivalent of toys coated with lead paint.

One shield against malware is to get a good program like Ad-Aware. (Just Google it.) The software is offered free of charge, but there is also a fee-based version. The free one works great for most people. I run mine every two or three days and I am almost always amazed at how much stuff has made its way on to my computer since I last ran the program. But there are lots of other programs: SpywareGuard, Norton Internet Security, and CounterSpy. With these installed, you can sleep better, and if nothing else, your computer should run better.

In a case like Hannaford's, it's a bit more complicated.

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