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Virus Security
Virus Security
| Posted By: D-A-L | Date Added: 11-11-2005 01:28 PM | Views: 781 |
What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a program that gets installed on your computer,
without your knowledge, and usually performs two tasks:
1. It replicates (duplicates) itself and spreads itself to other
computers that are connected to yours and/or spreads to other computers via e-mail.
2. It creates undesirable actions on your computer which may range from
simply displaying an annoying or offensive message on a certain date,
all the way up to permanently damaging your PC.
How are viruses created?
Unlike viruses that infect our bodies, 100% of computer viruses are made
by human beings who have nothing better to do than create destructive
software programs. These virus creators do it either for the rush that
they get from having a major impact on the PC world and getting into the
news, or because they have an ax to grind with a particular company or
with society in general.
How do viruses spread?
If your computer is connected directly to other computers, such as in a
home or business network, then the virus can travel along the network
infecting other computers as it goes. Each infected computer can, in
turn, infect the next computer along the network until, pretty soon,
every computer on the network has the virus.
Alternately, a virus can take control of your e-mail software and mail
copies of itself to every name in your e-mail address book as well as to
everyone whose e-mail messages you reply to.
Lately there have been viruses created that download themselves from web sites that either knowingly or unknowingly host the virus. When you
visit that web site the virus is downloaded via your browser.
What about Trojan Horses, are they viruses?
Trojan horses are technically different than viruses although they can
operate very similarly and do the same types of damage. The major
difference between a trojan horse and a virus is the way that you become
infected. A trojan horse (named after the wooden Trojan Horse that was
used in the Trojan war:
http://www.iit.edu/~agunsal/truva/truva/truva1.html ) hides inside of
what appears to be a beneficial piece of software and install itself when
its host software executes.
What about the virus that infects your computer just by answering the phone?
Yeah and the one that infects you if you lay a certain newspaper too
close to your PC. Lots of viruses that you find out about through
friends that forward you e-mail from someone who forwarded THEM e-mail, are often hoaxes.
If you think about it for a second, how likely is it that a major virus
that reformats your hard drive just because you watched a certain TV
show is going to be found out by someone@aol.com and it's not going to
be on the evening news?
A recent virus hoax actually ended up damaging computers because the
hoax claimed that a certain piece of software that is required for all
Windows PCs to operate was actually a virus. The e-mail told you how to
remove it. The problem was: Once you removed it your computer wouldn't
boot.
Here's a good tip: If someone tells you about the newest virus, go here
to check it out. Whether it's true or a hoax you'll find out quickly
enough.
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
How do I protect myself from viruses?
There is a simple protection method that will absolutely guarantee that
you will never get a computer virus. Simply turn off your computer and
never turn it on again.
If that isn't a practical solution for you, then follow these tips:
Do not open any files that are attached to an e-mail, even if you know
the sender, unless you have up-to-date virus protection software
installed.
Even if you do have virus protection software installed, never open any
files attached to an e-mail if the subject line is odd or if you do not
know the person who sent it.
Delete all chain e-mails and junk e-mail even from friends if they
contain "Urgent Virus Warnings". Do not forward or reply to them.
Do not download any files from web sites where you do not trust the site
owners. Even then, verify that your anti-virus program checks the type
of file that you are about to download.
Update your anti-virus software regularly so that you stay protected
form the over 500 viruses that are discovered every month.
Where can I get virus protection software?
There is a pretty good list here:
http://virus.helpguide.info/virus-tools.htm. Personally, i recommend
Norton Anti Virus Software from Symantec. You can download a trial
version at http://nct.digitalriver.com/0001/
Practicing safe computing is the only way you can avoid, or greatly
reduce, the risk of getting PC virus. If you ignore these tips then it
is only a matter of time until disaster strikes.
This article may not be copied or distributed in part or in full from this site and is copyright D24 Media Limited.
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