It seems every time you flick on your computer these days, there's another unwelcome virus to battle. It's a common story to hear that people bought anti-virus software when they buy their computer but they now complain that it's letting the new viruses slip through.
The bad news is that fighting viruses is an ongoing battle. There are around 200 proper new viruses every month. They're getting smarter and trickier. They spread around the Net in Internet time. That means almost instantly. You will find some virus continue to come attached with emails that you will receive even from companies. When this is pointed this out, the sender is often in disbelief because they had no idea they were spreading a virus.
So, What is a virus?
They are called computer viruses, but like the often-called Y2K bug (which isn't actually a bug) it's not always an accurate description of what's happened to your computer. At least the term virus helps give a mental picture as we are more familiar with the spreading of medical viruses like the common cold and understand how they can spread quickly.
One common description of a computer virus is that it's a programme which can attach itself to files to make your computer act in a way you don't expect or don't want. It can reproduce itself when its code is attached to files on your computer. In more technical language, its executable code which attaches itself to, overwrites or replaces another program in order to reproduce itself on your computer without your knowledge. The virus spreads when you launch a programme or from an infected disk. There are other problems with names like Trojan horses and worms that also can infiltrate and cause problems on your computer.
What are Trojan Horses?
Named after the famous horse of Troy, these pretend to be programmes but actually contain code which can in effect see something of what going on in the computer and return details to the sender. In the worst scenario, the sender than might be able to figure out a person's password or other confidential information. The programs carry out some covert or malicious act - for example some load obscene graphics onto the hard drive.
What is a Time Bomb?
This is a programme which sits on your computer and waits for a specific date - then "explodes' and usually deletes files or tries to create some sort of havoc. How many viruses spread? Not all the 200 or so new viruses every month get very far. Email is now an easy way for them to spread. For companies receiving large volumes of email, regular updating of anti-virus software and thorough scanning of incoming email are essential steps but still viruses slip through.
What damage can viruses do?
This differs from virus to virus. The first thing is don't panic. We heard from some people who shipped off their machine to the service centre when they discovered they had received Happy99. This wasn't necessary. It could have been fixed easily by the computer user in minutes. Some viruses are just nuisances, and make a minor change to your computer. One doing the rounds pops up on a day of the month and tells you that you are a "jerk." Some format or overwrite the hard disc such as the Michelangelo virus. You may lose some work. The more damaging viruses destroy your backups or make changes that you are unaware of until too late - or confuse you so you aren't sure what data has been changed.
How dangerous are disks CD/DVDs and USB pendrives?
Like a medical infection, sharing of something can result in something bad being passed on. Sharing any disk such as a floppy or CD/DVD or USB pendrive is one of the easiest ways to spread a computer virus. A disc may have picked up a virus from a machine and then put it on your machine when you insert the same floppy/CD/DVD/USB pendrive. You should first run anti-virus software to make sure the disc/drive is virus free. A friend learnt that the hard way one day when he started a new job. He found a spare USB pendrive in the drawer and used it. It contained a virus and destroyed his first few days of work. Also dangerous is pirated software. If you are handed discs containing computer programmes that have been copied off somewhere else be careful. Not only might they contain a virus but there are also the copyright issues.
How dangerous are virus in email?
Virus' is easily spread by email - when attachments are opened. The old story which claimed that simply downloading and reading a text email letter can give you a virus is now true, so be careful whose emails you open. REMEMBER.... ALL attachments MUST be saved to a folder and checked FIRST before opening, NO EXCEPTIONS!
What are the first general precautions you can take?
You can create a boot disc on a CD/DVD disc which is virus free. This enables you to start your computer in an emergency. You need to back up your data files regularly. Buy anti-virus software and keep it up to date. If you have bought a software programme, you usually are given some period of time when you can visit the company's Web site and update free the latest virus protection to cover new viruses. After that period, you will have to pay for regular top ups - but it's worth it. Above all, don't be complacent.
What is a boot disk?
It's a CD/DVD on which has been placed the computer's operating system. It means if something goes wrong with your computer, you can use the disk to "boot " your machine and attempt to fix the problem.
If you have a virus, what do you do?
Don't panic! If you have an anti-virus package run it. If that doesn't solve it, seek expert advice. Take note of the name of the virus if it lists one. If you work in an office, check if other machines are affected and warn anyone if you have recently sent them an attachment or given them a file on a floppy disk.
If my computer plays up, could it be a virus?
Yes, but lots of things make your computer misbehave from time to time. A virus may slow your computer, cause unexpected messages to run or cause hardware to run in a strange manner - but because these things happen it doesn't mean the problem is caused by a virus. There are other explanations.
The thing that causes most truble is MALWARE.
Under the banner of Malware, we have Spyware [sending info to a 3rd party], Keyloggers [sending key presses to a 3rd party], Adware [poping up unwanted ads on your screen] and Trojans [very hard to remove].
One of the best FREE tools to remove Malware is "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" Well worth the download, I recomend that you run it each day.
Do anti-virus software always work?
Hopefully usually but you can't depend on them to be 100% accurate. A virus check may miss a virus - especially if the virus is new and you haven't updated the programme. It can get fooled. Sometimes it sends out a false alarm telling you there is a virus in a file when in reality there isn't. This can be nerve-raking as it is better to believe your programme than disbelieve. If you then run a virus check to solve the "problem" but it can't then find a virus, you may wonder whether it was a false alarm. There's always that nagging doubt about whether there was or wasn't a virus. Some people use two different anti-virus programmes so they can cross check if such an alarm occurs, but you should only run one antiviral program as your default program.
What software should be used?
There are several major anti-virus software products available at your local computer store and it's often a personal choice which one to use.
I use Kaspersky Internet Security,The most advanced Internet security software with premium protection from viruses, spyware hackers and spam. Also includes comprehensive identity theft and phishing [taking you to a false site]protection, parental and privacy controls, and superfast performance. you can get a trial version from Here [AUST], The brought version will cost $79.95 usd for 3 computers for one years protection.
If you can not afford a brought Anti Virul program, then there is a free for home use one that is very good, it's called Avira! And can be found at http://www.free-av.com/, or if you have a home network then you might like to have a look at AVG, which is also free from Grisoft @ AVG Free.