Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/281887
48 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 MARCH 2014 SO you have a reputable antivirus software running on your compu- ter and you keep it up to date with the latest software and database versions. It tells you that every- thing is hunky-dory so you think you're all set and immune to the threats of the internet. Well, think again, because a lot of today's mal- ware runs undetected by antivirus software for days, even months, and in some cases even forever. The purpose of this statement is not to discredit antivirus software in any way, but merely to create awareness that it is not a tool which is meant to give you bulletproof protection. In fact, antivirus soft- ware has the indispensable role of protecting the masses from a great percentage of known malware which would otherwise disrupt the daily operations of computing and the internet. Malware is literally everywhere. It may be hidden inside a seemingly innocuous software you download- ed and it may be waiting for you to click on one of the many hoax news items and articles scattered around the internet, which frequently make the rounds on Facebook too. You would be lured to follow a link which then will in most cases re- quire you to perform some action in order to be able to proceed. That is when malware gets embedded in your computer. In most cases, malware will never show itself be- cause the main objective is to keep you unaware of its presence while it does whatever it is designed to do in the background. So why would certain malware run undetected by antivirus soft- ware? The answer is quite simple when you understand how an an- tivirus works. Antivirus software checks for known patterns of code inside a program and monitors ac- tions performed on a computer which are typically the work of malware. Most of the checks are done against a database of such malware which is what the antivi- rus keeps up to date on a regular basis. When it finds a match, the offending program is blocked and dealt with accordingly. Now, as you can imagine, the hackers who cre- ate malware are usually very clever and crafty. Unsurprisingly, they always manage to fool and bypass most antivirus software, making them think that there is nothing wrong. Depending on how wide- spread such malware is, it could be that the next database update would include the detection of the malware and clean your computer, but it could also take a very long time and in some cases it might never happen because you would have a type of malware which is very uncommon. So what can you do to protect yourself better? The best method of defence against malware re- mains in the power of human logic and knowledge. If something looks too good to be true, it prob- ably is. When you follow a link to download something for free, un- less it is coming from a reputable source there is a high risk that it is infected with malware. Similarly, you should never be forced to click and accept something, download and run some application, in order to be granted access to read some hoax article or watch a supposedly funny video compilation. The per- sons trying to distribute malware will always try to do it in the most creative of manners. They would try their best to disguise it behind an almost perfect replica of a popu- lar website which you would access by mistake because you made a simple typo in the website's ad- dress. In such a case, the faux site would likely pop up some message to mislead you and ultimately con- vince you to run the malware in- advertently. There is a seemingly infinite amount of ways in which malware can be distributed but in most or all of them, a keen eye and a little vigilance is all it takes to suss them out and not fall victim to their clever tricks. Mark Bishop is the head of the Alert eBusiness Data Centre www.alert.com.mt Information Technology Mark Bishop It's okay – I have an antivirus The Londoner Pub to open at SmartCity Malta THE snug St Julian's gastropub, Londoner Pub which has been rap- idly growing in popularity since its inception in the summer of last year, will be expanding its opera- tions by opening a new gastropub at SmartCity Malta this coming May. Londoner Pub will have an indoor seating capacity of around 50 peo- ple, and will seat an estimate of 90 people on its outside terrace which overlooks the panoramic Laguna Walk at SmartCity Malta, with un- obstructed views of the Mediterra- nean Sea. The Londoner Pub will be the newest gastropub on the island, inspired by the British pub culture that permeates the streets of Lon- don. It will serve the best local and British draught beers on the mar- ket as well as international bottled beers. The pub will also show live football matches so visitors will be able to watch their favourite team play on TV, as they sip on a cold beer of their choice in a friendly and cosy ambience. People can additionally enjoy a daily happy hour between 3pm and 7pm, where they can buy one cocktail and get another one for free, or buy two pitchers of beer and get the third free of charge. Serving breakfast, lunch and din- ner with daily changing specials, all inspired by the Great Britain's traditional and authentic food, the Londoner Pub will serve the best Sunday roast on the island together with delectable pies, stews, fish and chips, and salads, all at great value for money. On the weekends at night, the Londoner Pub's lights dim, creating a club-like ambience. Local and foreign DJ's and musi- cians will also entertain all visi- tors who wish to kick up their heels and enjoy themselves till the early morning hours. The Londoner Pub's indoor area is styled in a modern retro London gastropub style with comfort seat- ing, low and high tables, elevated areas, and a billiard table with its own seating area. A very large ash wood peninsular bar will pervade the Londoner Pub, which also has a visible kitchen. Picture frames will hang on the gastropub's wallpapered wall, and hanging lamps and globes depict- ing the authentic Londoners' way of life, will further add to the British- inspired décor. Owners, Giovanni Mugliett, Dar- ren Casha and Daniel Farrugia will be overseeing the operations and customer relations, while working closely with their team to ensure the Londoner Pub's quality and con- sistency create a charming experi- ence for all visitors. Speaking about the opening of the Londoner Pub, Mugliett said: "We actually decided to open our second Londoner Pub at SmartCity Malta because we be- lieve in the potential of this project. Having been myself brought up as a child in the southern part of the island, I truly believe SmartCity Malta is a well-deserved location for all the southern and Maltese people. It is a privilege to work with the very professional SmartCity or- ganisation." Malware is literally everywhere. It may be hidden inside a seemingly innocuous software you downloaded and it may be waiting for you to click on one of the many hoax news items and articles scattered around the internet