Computer Virus Information
What are Computer Viruses?
A computer virus is a program intended to multiply itself by first infecting
the executable files or the system regions of hard and floppy disks and then
creating copies of itself. Viruses usually carry out their function without
the knowledge of the users.
The real consequence of any specific virus depends on how it was programmed
by the person who made the virus. Some viruses are intentionally planned
to harm files or otherwise hinder with your computer's process. Others just
try to multiply themselves all around. These are harmful in a way that they
injure files and may cause other harm in the process of scattering. However
viruses cannot harm your hardware.
The best defence against Virus infections
Install Virus Scan Software and Keep it Updated
The primary step in defending your computer is to make sure that your
operating system (OS) is updated. This is essential if you are running
a Microsoft Windows OS. Second, you should have anti-virus software set
up on your system and ensure that you download updates regularly to guarantee
your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
In addition, you must ensure your anti-virus program has the ability
to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet. This
will help avert malicious programs from getting into your computer. You
must also install a firewall. It is important that you use genuine and
full version of such software because most of the free software do not
offer complete protection against all possible and latest threats.
Use a Pop-up Blocker
Some pop-ups are helpful. For example, if you click a link for additional
information on a topic you are reading about, it might open in a pop-up
window so that after you've finished reading it, you can close the pop-up
window and easily return to the original page. Some pop-up windows spawn
in an endless click stream and can contain hyperlinks allowing you to accidentally
download malicious software onto your computer. Installing or enabling
pop-up software may not prevent the initial ad or the first Internet Explorer
window spawned, but it will prevent further pop-ups from appearing on your
PC.
The danger of computer virus infections
Below are possibilities you may experience when you are infected with a virus.
- New programs do not install correctly.
- Windows spontaneously restarts unexpectedly.
- A disk utility such as Scandisk reports manifold acute disk faults.
- A partition disappears and you know nothing about it.
- Your computer stops responding each time you use Microsoft Office products.
- You are not able to start the Windows Task Manager.
- Your computer freezes regularly or stumbles upon various errors.
- Your computer slows down every time a program starts.
- Cause computer to make strange noises, make music, clicking noises or
beeps.
- Different types of error messages.
How computer Viruses spread
Program Infectors
When an infected application operates, the virus gets active and is loaded
into memory. Now that the virus is in memory, any new program file that you
intend to run can become infected. This means that there will be increasingly
more applications on your system that are tainted.
Via e-mail attachments
Many of the most hazardous viruses are mainly distributed through e-mail
attachments. Under such circumstances, the user working on the infected computer
unwittingly assigns an infected file to an email message, and then sends
the email to a friend or colleague.
Trojan Viruses
Certain viruses, called Trojans, can falsely appear as a beneficial program to coax users into downloading
them. Some Trojans can even provide expected results while quietly damaging
your system or other networked computers at the same time.
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