With the advent of the Internet, computer networking, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB Flash disks, the computer virus is now fast spreading. Learn some basic tips on how to avoid virus infection and preventing their attacks.
- What is a Computer Virus? It is a program that attaches itself onto legal programs that we normally use everyday. When you run the infected application, the "virus" is also executed. A virus is also called "malicious software" or malware. There are other types of malware - trojan horse programs, keystroke grabbers, adwares and the likes. These are programs that makes your computer run slower, and makes your application malfunction, worse they corrupt your files and render them useless.
- How do we get infected? You get infected when you run a program from a diskette or a USB flash disk that is infected with a virus. You get infected when you open files from your e-mail that is infected with a virus. You get infected when you visit non-trusted web-sites (porno sites mostly). You get infected even by just simply opening Internet Explorer, or some programs known to have security holes. These security holes are backdoors for hackers to install their programs onto your PC. These programs may record your keystrokes and may get important information like passwords and account numbers. They may also install programs that will let them gain access to your computer as long as you are connected to the Internet.
- How can we be protected? Have an anti-virus program installed, and have them updated via the internet from time to time. They prevent the execution of viruses and malwares, they also prevent hackers and trojan horse programs from gaining access to your computer. There are many anti-virus programs out there, examples are AVG, Norton Internet Security, McAfee, and Trend Micro Internet Security. Always remember to scan your diskette or USB Flash disk first before opening any documents or programs. Surf the Internet safely. Always visit trusted sites. Refrain from opening e-mails from senders that you don't know. Avoid downloading suspicious files. Don't surf for porn! Also, when you search the Internet using Google and the likes, always check the URL (web address). If you see symbols like % and = then most likely you will be redirected to another search engine, which most of the time are infected with malware. Don't click that link! Choose another search result.
- What do we do if we are infected? If possible, avoid using the computer if you are infected with a virus. Continuous use of the computer will help further propagate the virus. Have your hard disk scanned for virus and malware. The most effective way of scanning it is removing your infected hard disk and connect it to a known clean computer. Be sure that the anti-virus has the latest virus definition patterns. Have a thorough scan of the infected hard disk, quarantine infected files that can not be cleaned. Most of the time, the anti-virus deletes known malware. But if you happen to have a back-up copy of your important documents, then have your hard disk formatted and re-install a fresh copy of your operating system, be it Linux or Windows. That is the best way to erase the virus and malware.
Remember: Always have a back-up copy of your important documents. Copy your documents onto a CD or a clean (non-infected) USB Flash disk for safe-keeping.
- How do we get infected? You get infected when you run a program from a diskette or a USB flash disk that is infected with a virus. You get infected when you open files from your e-mail that is infected with a virus. You get infected when you visit non-trusted web-sites (porno sites mostly). You get infected even by just simply opening Internet Explorer, or some programs known to have security holes. These security holes are backdoors for hackers to install their programs onto your PC. These programs may record your keystrokes and may get important information like passwords and account numbers. They may also install programs that will let them gain access to your computer as long as you are connected to the Internet.
- How can we be protected? Have an anti-virus program installed, and have them updated via the internet from time to time. They prevent the execution of viruses and malwares, they also prevent hackers and trojan horse programs from gaining access to your computer. There are many anti-virus programs out there, examples are AVG, Norton Internet Security, McAfee, and Trend Micro Internet Security. Always remember to scan your diskette or USB Flash disk first before opening any documents or programs. Surf the Internet safely. Always visit trusted sites. Refrain from opening e-mails from senders that you don't know. Avoid downloading suspicious files. Don't surf for porn! Also, when you search the Internet using Google and the likes, always check the URL (web address). If you see symbols like % and = then most likely you will be redirected to another search engine, which most of the time are infected with malware. Don't click that link! Choose another search result.
- What do we do if we are infected? If possible, avoid using the computer if you are infected with a virus. Continuous use of the computer will help further propagate the virus. Have your hard disk scanned for virus and malware. The most effective way of scanning it is removing your infected hard disk and connect it to a known clean computer. Be sure that the anti-virus has the latest virus definition patterns. Have a thorough scan of the infected hard disk, quarantine infected files that can not be cleaned. Most of the time, the anti-virus deletes known malware. But if you happen to have a back-up copy of your important documents, then have your hard disk formatted and re-install a fresh copy of your operating system, be it Linux or Windows. That is the best way to erase the virus and malware.
Remember: Always have a back-up copy of your important documents. Copy your documents onto a CD or a clean (non-infected) USB Flash disk for safe-keeping.
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