The Computer Virus
Computer viruses have been around nearly as long as the internet, criminals, hackers & con-men have been trying to find ways of infecting computers with coded software designed to relentlessly replicate, computer viruses infect your programs and files, alter the way your computer operates or stop it from working altogether. Many viruses attach themselves to legitimate executable files on a host computer that allow the virus to be loaded when the user opens the file. A virus generally will be activated when it is loaded into a computer’s memory, and then it may continue to spread its viral code into a number of other programs and files stored on the host computer. The computer’s programs may still continue to work normally, but also spread the virus’ code to other machines on the same network.
5 Main Causes of Virus Infection
Even if you’re careful you can acquire computer viruses through normal Internet usage like:
- Sharing music, files or photos with other users
- Visiting an infected Web site
- Opening or an email attachment
- Downloading free games, toolbars, media players and other system utilities
- Installing mainstream software applications without fully reading license agreements
What Happens to a Computer with a Virus
Some computer viruses are designed to harm your computer by damaging programs, deleting files, or reformatting the hard drive. Others simply replicate themselves or flood a network with traffic, making it difficult or completely impossible to browse the web or send emails. Even less harmful computer viruses can cause your computer to malfunction, using large amounts of your computer memory and making your computer crash time & time again, which can be very frustrating.
How do you Know your Computer has a Virus
Your computer may have a virus if you answer yes to any of these symptoms
- Your Computer is slow
- Erratic computer behavior
- Programs or files disappear
- Computer crashes
- Blue Screen of Death
- Program you didn't install appear
What you can do to protect your computer
Follow these simple tips & you can reduce the risk of virus infection on your computer.
Get a good Anti Virus software package installed on your computer
- Use anti-virus protection and a firewall
- Get anti-spyware software
- Always keep your anti-virus protection and anti-spyware software up-to-date
- Keep your computer upto date with system updates
- Adjust your web browser security settings
- Avoid Web sites which look dubious
- Only download software from sites you trust. Carefully check free software and file-sharing applications before downloading them.
- Check free software is not installing extra software you don't want
- Scan USB sticks, Cds & DVD for viruses when you put them into your computer
- Don't open emails from people you don't know
- Don't open attachments on emails unless you are sure they are safe
- Delete emails immediately from unknown sources
- Remember to Empty your Deleted Items Folder regularly