Ways to remove Computer Viruses For FreeMaybe you are taking the proactive approach and you are thinking about how to prevent viruses from infecting your computer in the first place? Either way, this article can help so read on. Let's begin with what a virus is and a few of the different types of viruses out there. A virus is a program or piece of code that runs on a computer without the users knowledge. Viruses cannot install themselves, they must be run by a human, mostly likely from an executable file. Viruses can use up system resources, replicate themselves, allow a user remote access to the infected computer, as well as destroy personal data, hardware and software. Many viruses are spread via email. Viruses are different from spyware. There are different types of viruses. The boot sector is a crucial part of the system since it holds information about how a computer boots (is started) up. A boot virus does not infect files, it infects the disks on which they reside. Microsoft Word (.doc file extension), Excel spreadsheets (.xls file extension) and many more... When it is going to deliver it's damage it decrypts, does what it is designed to do and goes back into hiding. It usually hides in software that appears to be a legitimate application. Once opened by the user a Trojan can do anything from delete files, and destroying system information to less malicious things as making your cd rom open and close and changing your desktop icons around. Trojans are famous for creating a backdoor in the infected computer. This backdoor allows users remote access which can be used to control the computer for whatever use the controller wishes. Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files, which is one of the major differences between a trojan and a worm. They spread from computer to computer and have the ability to move from computer to computer across networks without the help of a human. A worm exploits vulnerabilities in software and operating systems using existing files and transport systems already in place on the infected machine. One of the most dangerous thing about worms is their ability to replicate. An infected system could be used to not only send one copy of the worm out onto the Internet but possibly thousands of copies. In the meantime, draining the infected computer of valuable system resources. Tips To Help Keep Viruses Off Your Computer1. Do not open email attachments - unless you can verify they are 100% safe. Always scan your downloads with anti-virus software before you open them! |