Computer Viruses

What is a computer virus?

Virus???

Computer viruses and malwares strike when you rarely expect them. So it is important we be on our guard against viruses and malwares.

A computer virus can be defined as a software program that spreads from one computer to another and that interferes with normal computer operation. A computer virus may corrupt or delete data on a computer, use an e-mail program to spread the virus to other computers, or even delete everything on the hard disk. Viruses have the ability to duplicate themselves thus negatively affecting your computer.

Computer viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or by instant messaging messages. Therefore, you must never open an e-mail attachment unless you know who sent the message or unless you are expecting the e-mail attachment. Computer viruses also spread by using downloads on the Internet. Computer viruses can be hidden in pirated software or in other files or programs that you may download.

Once they reach your computer, they will then be tranferred easily by flash disk drives and other removable media types.

The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive.

Malware, short for malicious software,is a software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's informed consent. 

EFFECTS OF VIRUSES ON COMPUTERS

1. Windows does not start properly or may not start at all.
2. Windows may keep on re-booting.
3. The computer runs very slowly. Additionally, the computer takes longer than expected to start.
4. You receive out-of-memory error messages even though the computer has sufficient RAM.
5. Programs that used to run stop responding frequently.
6. You cannot start Windows Task Manager.
7. Antivirus software indicates that a computer virus is present.
8. Duplicate folders may be present on your computer.

How to protect your computer against viruses

To protect your computer against viruses, the following steps should be followed by anyone using a computer:

1. Make sure your computer firewall is turned on. (Start, control panel, security centre, firewall)
2. Keep the computer operating system up-to-date. (Start, control panel, security centre, Automatic updates)
3. Install an antivirus sofware and keep on updating it regularly.
4. Use updated antispyware software on the computer.

Some antivirus softwares you must buy but we have others that are freeware. Because they are freeware it doesn't mean they are not good. If regularly updated, they can protect your computer and its data and save you from a day of frustrations.

You can download avira for free from this site: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/AntiVir-Personal-Edition-Download-6527.html

To learn more about computers, you can check out my Hubs: http://hubpages.com/_pkk/profile/Patkay