ARTICLE ON
COMPUTER VIRUS
In its simplest terms a virus is a
disruptive computer code period!
A computer virus almost always repeats
itself and spreads by attaching itself to other files. Viruses
can be made to host a number of harmful things on any computer
from disrupting files to crashing networks. It can even be
laying dormant, without you knowing it's there and then attack
when least expect it, like right in the middle of downloading a
large file or typing a long report.
It can even be made to open at a certain
date, sitting like a time bomb until it's time arrives. As you
can see it can be annoying at the very least.
I do not want go into all the different
types of viruses here because there are so many and more are
being made everyday in some dank basement by the Dark Lord.
However, since so many viruses came from
unknowingly opening e-mails I would like to mention some basics
here:
Never open e-mail attachments unless you
know for sure who it's from and that it's safe. Some mail
programs will even ask if you trust the attachment and if
you’re sure this you want to do. Your computer software can
also scan attachments for viruses.
The danger is that when the attachment
is opened the virus can attach itself to your hard drive and
damage files. Not only that, it can search your saved e-mail
addresses and send itself out to your friends, business partners
and whoever is on the list, masking the message to look like a
legitimate one from you. It will probably have an attachment too
and when opened will infect other computers.
Many people like to download music,
video, games or other programs from different sites. If it is a
site you dealt with before and trust it may be safe, but if
you’re not sure you can always run a virus scan on the
download before installation. (You will need to check the
anti-virus program that came with your system on procedures).
This security measure is necessary because some downloads may
contain virtues, spy ware or ad ware – these last two can
collect personal information, note your browsing habits and Spam
your e-mail with unwanted ads. Some software sites will offer a
read me file that shows technical information on the download (if
you like tech talk) as well as contact info.
The better sites that offer downloads
will test and scan all there software programs before going
online with it. As a last resort you can do an internet search
for reviews on that particular company to see if others got
burned.
This may sound scary to some but the
fact is in this world anyone who owns a computer will have to
look over there shoulders for hidden attacks when working with
online.
That said there are some things should
do to prevent viruses from attacking your computer:
* Download the latest virus definition
lists ( files that tell your computer what to scan for) that's
used for your anti-virus program.
* Check to see if your internet service
provider has tools to stop viruses before they can reach your
mailbox.
* Always back-up your computer on disks
in case you loose some or all your data. * You can scan software
for viruses before installing it.
* Set your security settings at the
highest level.
* Check your web browser and e-mail
settings.
Doing these things at least every week
will help keep your computer up to date on Virus protection and
running safely.
