What is a computer virus?
There are many type of viruses such as worm and trojans. Typical viruses are simply programs or scripts that will do various damage to your computer, such as corrupting files, copying itself into files, slowly deleting all your hard drive etc. However there are certain types of viruses that returns back your personal details such passwords and even bank accounts to the sender. The danger of most viruses is that it doesn’t stop when it infects you, it also can get details of you other computers that you have contacted and spreads it on to them. Viruses are very harmful, they can damage your computer and also access your personal details, not only they harm you but your family could also be victims.
How to prevent and protect your computer:
Antivirus software
A golden rule to owning a computer is to have a antivirus software installed on it. However antivirus softwares are useless unless they are updated. That means that your
antivirus software needs to be updated every day. Viruses are always appearing, so do not sub estimate them. In less than 24 hours your antivirus could be obsolete. Regularly scan your computers for viruses. A good way to do this is to set a automatic scan once or twice a week. It is also to scan your computer if you have been surfing the internet for most of the day, and also the files you downloaded before opening them.
Recommended Antivirus softwares:
- AVG
- Norton Anti virus
- McAfee Anti Virus
Firewall
Make sure you have a firewall and that it’s turned on at all times. Firewall separates two networks and it allows certain things to go in and out. It provides axtra layer of security, and make sure you are aware of what you are about to do. For example it will address you to say yes or no when you are accessing an insecure networks that is not recognize by your computer. Zone alarm is a good firewall software.
To turn it on or check if its on:
Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall (for Classic view on control panel)
Start > Control Panel > Security Center (for Category view on control panel)
Be Cautious
Surfing and Downloading:
Most people get their computer infected, is by not knowing what they have opened or clicked. The viruses attack you in two major areas, websites and email.
Websites are major targets for all viruses, and often website owners themselves are unaware that their website is infected. Sometimes while you are visiting a website, annoying pop ups might appear and sometimes internet users may have just clicked “yes” or “ok” to the installation of a spy ware program, when they are trying to close the pop up. Common places where pop ups might appear are downloading websites, where it uses them as advertisement, and often viruses can be placed on to one of them.
Be very cautious when you’re downloading files from the internet, if the file you are trying to download doesn’t seem to be correct, then leave it. Example if you’re downloading a song, on average a music file size is 3-4mb and the file they prompt you to download is 100kb. Then you should be aware that this is incorrect, and could be a virus that they are trying to get you to download. Also read the file format names that your are downloading, common file names that viruses are hide under is .exe .com .bat .scr .pif .vbs. Files that ends with these format names, are very suspicious. Additionally, if you use programs like BitTorrent and Emule for downloading content, you must be very careful. Those files could be infested with virus or even spyware.
Email:
Most viruses come through electronic mail (E-mail) as an attachment. Some will make it look like it's someone you know, and it will try to convince you to open an attachment. The first rule of thumb is to be wary of the attachments that you download from emails. Never open attachments at any cost! Some viruses will infect files in programs, so opening a program will actually open the virus, maybe the same one, or another part of it.
Although an email can be sent by a friend or family, that doesn't mean that it isn't virus free. This doesn’t mean that your friend or family is trying to send you the virus, but they are unaware that they have been infected, and the virus itself acts as if they are them to try and spread it to you aswell. Assure yourself by configuring your email software. That way, every time you receive an email, your antivirus will check it.
A few good rules to follow for email viruses prevention:
- Don't open emails that request strange things, emails when you’re unsure or even if the email address says it's from a friend.
- Never click on hyperlinks INSIDE emails that supposedly come from some institution.
- Never open the attachment file that comes along with the email
- Don’t reply or give out your personal details, such as bank details and passwords.