How is your computer “acting”? Have
you ever wondered if you had a
virus? Would you know how to tell or what to do if you did
have a virus? Do you know the difference between the
nonviral and viral threat on your computer and what a virus
can do to your computer?
A viral threat would be considered a
virus. There are three main types of computer viruses. A
true virus is a program that attempts to cripple your
computer by “infecting” key files and spreading itself on to
others. It
might change critical files or perform unwanted functions
like erasing your hard drive. A Trojan Horse virus will
leave your computer accessible for other people to use. Once
a Trojan Horse is installed it may “bounce” through your
machine as a way to cover its tracks and do other damage. A
Trojan Horse gives the hacker access to all the information
stored on your hard drive, so he can read your files and
personal information, or use your pc to store data, send
email, etc. A Worm virus will travel from system to system,
gather information and send it on, also doing collateral
damage along the way. There are tens of thousands of known
computer viruses that can be received by email generally as
attachments, or contracted by downloading files from the
Internet.
How can you avoid getting a virus?
Viruses are designed not only to infect you, but also to
spread themselves. Some viruses read your email address
book, and email themselves to everyone in the book. Other
viruses
attach themselves to every outgoing email. To avoid getting
a virus, don’t open an email attachment if you don’t know
the sender, or the message text or attachment name seems odd
(if it seems strange, it is, don’t open it). Also, scan all
attachments and files that you receive with a frequently
updated anti-virus program, and don’t download from sites
you are unfamiliar with or sites that may be questionable.
What to do if you get a virus? First
things first, STOP! Do as little as possible on your
computer; every click could spread the infected program.
Immediately update your anti-virus software, and run a full
virus scan
on your computer.
For virus protection, there are many
different pieces of software out there. The most important
part of these software tools is that you keep them up to
date and download your updates from the products website.
The
software will assist you in not being infected as long as
you as the consumer do your part to help the software
function properly.
