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VIRUSES!! - explained
(hopefully)
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So, what is a virus exactly?
A computer virus is
defined as a set of commands, created intentionally,
that will do some level of damage to a computer. A
computer virus does not float around in cyberspace.
It usually is attached to something.
'A computer virus does not float around in
cyberspace . . . .'
That 'something' could be a text file (Word
document), an email, a photo, a music clip, a video
clip, a game or even a complete software program
(usually an illegal copy or a downloaded demo). Your
computer must activate one of these 'carriers' in
order to get the virus. Simply receiving an email
won't cause a virus to infect a computer. But if you
click on an attachment that's infected, there will
be a problem ):
As with new human infections, the cure for a new
computer virus always takes time to be created and
then distributed.
Viruses - a brief history
In the mid-1980s two brothers in Pakistan discovered
that people were pirating their software. They
responded by writing the first computer virus, a
program that would put a copy of itself and a
copyright message on any floppy disk copies their
customers made. From these simple beginnings, an
entire virus counter-culture has emerged. Today new
viruses sweep the planet in minutes and can corrupt
data, slow networks down, or harm your reputation.
' . . . . . . new viruses sweep the planet in
minutes'
What is a virus?
A virus or worm is a computer program that can
spread across computers and networks by making
copies of itself, usually without the user’s
knowledge. Viruses can have harmful effects. These
can range from displaying irritating messages to
stealing data or giving other users control over
your computer.
' . . . . . . . . spread across computers'
How does a virus infect computers?
A virus program has to be run before it can infect
your computer. Viruses have ways of making sure that
this happens. They can attach themselves to other
programs or hide in code that is run automatically
when you open certain types of file. Sometimes they
can exploit security flaws in your computer’s
operating system to run and to spread themselves
automatically.
' . . . . . .run and to spread themselves
automatically'
You might receive an infected file in an email
attachment, in a download from the internet, or on a
disk. As soon as the file is launched, the virus
code runs. Then the virus can copy itself to other
files or disks and make changes on your computer.
What can viruses do?
Viruses used to play pranks or stop your computer
working, but now they compromise security in more
insidious ways.
Here are the things that viruses can do:
Slow down email - Viruses that spread by
email, such as Sobig, can generate so much email
traffic that servers slow down or crash. Even if
this doesn't happen, companies may react to the risk
by shutting down servers anyway.
Steal confidential data - The Bugbear-Dworm
records the user's keystrokes, including passwords,
and gives the virus writer access to them.
Use your computer to attack websites - MyDoom
used infected computers to flood the SCO software
company's website with data, making the site
unusable (a denial of service attack).
Let other users hijack your computer - Some
viruses place “backdoor Trojans” on the computer,
allowing the virus writer to connect to your
computer and use it for their own purposes.
Corrupt data - The Compatable virus makes
changes to the data in Excel spreadsheets.
Delete data - The Sircam worm may attempt to
delete or overwrite the hard disk on a certain day.
Disable hardware - CIH, also known as
Chernobyl, attempts to overwrite the BIOS chip on
April 26, making the computer unusable.
Play pranks - The Netsky-D worm made
computers beep sporadically for several hours one
morning.
Display messages - Cone-F displays a
political message if the month is May.
Damage your credibility - If a virus forwards
itself from your computer to your customers and
business partners, they may refuse to do business
with you, or demand compensation.
Cause you embarrassment - For example,
PolyPost places your documents and your name on
sex-related newsgroups.
Save yourself the embarrassment (and costs) by
getting protected NOW!
Links to free anti-virus programs are below:
>>ANTI-VIRUS (VIRUS KILLER)
AVG Anti-Virus
Get the free version here
Why pay for anti-virus software when you can have
this much-loved bug buster for free.
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Web User's review]
http://www.grisoft.com
>>ANTI VIRUS (VIRUS KILLER)
AntiVir Personal Edition
www.free-av.com/
>>Anti-virus/Trojan
and Security Software
Symantec
MooSoft
McAfee
Trojan Hunter
Sophos
Trend Micro
EZ Armour Security Suite FREE
GFI
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