Nowadays, it seems like one cannot live without computers: checking up emails to see if your boss had emailed, downloading your regular stack of music for your mp3, getting some files from your friend’s usb or just the regular, surfing the net thing. However, in the light of these functions, there are risks involved. One of the noted risks is having an unwanted visitor on your computer – a computer virus.
A virus is a self replicating program that, once it enters your computer, spreads and causes file corruption or worse, deletion. Each virus has its own way of how it would produce damage. With that, you must know, at least in general, the types of viruses and how they spread from one computer to another.
SOME TYPES OF COMPUTER VIRUSES
- File infecting Virus: They attach themselves to programs or executable files namely .COM and .EXE, among others. They are usually dormant until the file(s) are accessed. When the infected file is opened, the virus is psyched up and it spreads out to the other programs and applications, which are accessed, simultaneously. Think of it as the virtual form of cancer.
- Overwrite Virus: Basing it from the name, once a file is infected, the virus modifies or overwrites it, making it worthless. You can only do one thing to save your other files from this – delete the infected file. If worse comes to worst, all the files have been infected, reformatting your computer comes as your only option.
- Resident Virus: This is the kind of virus you should be careful of, along with the other viruses infesting the internet. Why? The virus attaches itself to the RAM of your computer, permanently. Therefore, accessing files, may it be opening your files or what not, they are all infected by this virus.
- Boot Virus: From the name itself, it infects the boot floppy disk. This may cause a surprise restarting of your computer without receiving any command to do so. It would be unfortunate if this happens while you are working on something important, if you fail to save it in particular. The document will be erased.
- Email Virus: Be very aware of unknown emails containing suspicious attachments. It may be normal for you to open them, since man, by nature, is curious, but it is better to just delete the message. The virus spreads in emails using the names of your contacts or sometimes they bear an “unknown” sender.
With some of the types of Viruses given, you must be knowledgeable, also, of how these viruses are transmitted and the damage it can do to your files.
VIRUSES SPREAD THROUGH THESE MEANS:
- Booting a PC with a virus infected cd/usb/diskette
- Downloading
- Opening and infected file
- Networking
SOME HARMFUL EFFECTS OF VIRUSES
- A complete deletion of all files. For example, your usb has been infected by a virus that corrupts files in an instant, you therefore, have no choice but to delete all your files and reformat your usb. It would be unfortunate if you do not have any back up for those files.
- Memory eater. Since a virus attaches itself to files, it eats extra memory. What might be 2MB might be 5MB. Just imagine how much memory space is eaten if you sum up all the viruses attached to your computer’s files.
- Computer Reset. This is irritating, especially when you are working on something that is crucial to your work. Your computer suddenly restarts because you pressed a key that might have been modified by the virus to be the restart key. Unfortunately, your files will be erased, if this happens.
- Computer running slower than usual. Since viruses are programs as well, the normal running time of your pc is being slowed down. While other programs are running, the virus is also being run by the computer.
With all of these given, surely, you would want to protect your computer from these viruses. Unless you want your files gone with the wind, then you must obtain a good quality antivirus or desktop security software.
ANTIVIRUS
From the name itself, you would gather that this is the solution for you to protect your computer from sickening viruses, particularly those that corrupt and delete files, upon entry. Moreover, by any chance that the virus has infected a file or a usb, after scanning them, it deletes the virus(es). Just bear in mind that you must get an antivirus that can possibly detect all the malware your computer contains. It would be best to consult your techie for the best antivirus programs on the market.
Advanced Technology, More Solutions
At this day and age, yes, technology is advancing and you are experiencing it, firsthand. Just bear in mind that technology has its loopholes to correct malware problems, and it is better that you come prepared for such complications.
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