About Computer Viruses

What is a Computer Virus? 

A computer virus is a software program that replicates itself and infects a computer. A true virus has reproductive ability. Although in factual sense, some types of malware including adware and spyware programs do not have reproductive ability, they are included under the term computer virus. A computer virus performs a variety of functions, like annoyingly popping up irrelevant messages to deleting files and destroying hard disks.

It is an oddity that a computer virus shows how vulnerable we are, by being victims of devastating consequences like disrupted productivity running into billions of dollars, while at the same time demonstrating the sophistication of our amazing interconnectivity. We all became aware what is a computer virus and what havoc it can do when the Mydoom worm infected nearly a quarter million computers in 2004. This worm affected Microsoft Windows, probably through e-mail spammers by sending junk mail through infected computers. In an extreme scenario, a computer virus can spread through most, if not all vital computers, in the world and wreak havoc for business organizations, financial establishments, government functioning, and academic institutions.

How Do Viruses Spread?

We now know what is a computer virus and so, it will be interesting to understand how do viruses spread. For a virus to spread it must first be triggered, for example, by the user visiting a potentially dangerous site, opening a document infected by a virus, booting with a diskette infected by a "boot sector virus," or by double clicking on an infected executable file.

The Entire Process Works In The Following Way:

* A virus software program is launched
* The virus code is loaded into the PC memory
* The virus executes its destructive payload
* The virus replicates itself into other programs

If all a virus did was to replicate itself, then the harm caused would have been negligible, but unfortunately viruses do something far destructive like overwriting the boot sector of your hard drive, stealing your sensitive passwords, and hacking your e-mail ids.

What Are Trojan Horses?

As explained earlier, Trojans or Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but perform an undesired yet intended function, while at the same time pretending to do something else. A classic example is a fake log in program into a supposedly genuine bank site that prompts you to display your sensitive account information.

How Do You Protect Your Computer From Viruses?

To be safe, you simply need to load antivirus software. Once you buy and install antivirus software, you will be prompted to download regular updates that will allow the program to fight the latest computer viruses. A typical antivirus software performs the following functions:

* Scans and protects your computer against incoming e-mails
* Alerts you, if you attempt to download an infected file
* Prevents external attacks by firewall software

Fortunately, computer users do not feel jinxed with viruses these days. Antivirus products have become more advanced. People have understood that the problem of virus will stay forever, with newer versions making appearance, often with regular predictability. Happily, people will continue to use computers as long as there are people who can offer solutions.

The Difference Between Adware, Spyware and Anti-Virus

You may be a bit confused with all these different technical terms, well let me explain a bit to you about them. 

Spyware will not harm your computer. Although there might be the slight chance it might do but this will not be intentional. What spyware does is create trails so that other people besides the computer user can get in touch with that computer or device. They may list what types of websites you visit which will be used for web advertisers to send information on unwanted pop ups etc. 

This is why spyware tend to be frowned upon and significantly avoided. They are more uncomfortable than ad-ware. Spyware have their very own separate executable software programs which allow them to record your keystrokes, scan files in your hard disks and appearance at additional applications that you use including however, not limited to chat software programs, cookies and Internet browser settings.

The spyware then can send the knowledge that the idea had gathered to the spyware creator. The agent will use this information for selling purposes. They even sell the knowledge to advertisers and also other parties.

Adware, on the opposite hand, are more legitimate kind of freeware. Comparable to spyware, ad-wares tend to be advertising materials which might be packaged into a software as well as program and are also installed automatically once that one program as well as software is added into the computer technique. Some types of ad-ware, however, download advertising contents as a particular application has utilized. It is reasonably unfortunate that almost all of the adware software programs take the shape of spywares that is they trail and report user info to software authors.

Some symptoms of spyware infections contain pop-up advertising that seem to be not associated with the site you happen to be viewing. By and large, spyware pop-ups tend to be advertisements regarding adult articles. Also in the event you notice your laptop slowing down, there's an enormous chance in which spywares and other components have discovered their way as part of your operating technique. When the actual Windows pc also takes an extended period to heap, its better to scan your laptop for possible spyware serious infections.

Meanwhile, viruses tend to be destructive kind of software. We were looking at purely designed and suitable for one goal alone: to break havoc to your computer. They damage whatever they interact to and may initiate self applied replication and infect numerous components with the computer's operating-system or network as it can be.

Nowadays, plenty of anti-virus application also provides ad-ware scanning and removal tools. Some software programs, however, are aimed at located and deleting as well as destroying ad-ware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or even a anti-spyware specific scanner, they each search your laptop and determine any malware and malware installed in your system.

They then eliminate it and also their components positioned in the technique registry among other places in your laptop. It is therefore, good for you to regularly replace your virus or spyware scanner in order that your laptop or computer is protected from your thousands associated with spyware and viruses in the internet. Never always be fooled by ads that declare that their products only incorporate ad-ware.

These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are also just waiting being deployed to allow them to gather your information. Learn to begin firewall programs and usually block pop-up blockers to reduce computer disease and guarantee the security off your laptop or computer files.

After learning the content that is written in this article it is a definite serious thing to neglect your computer security. Hackers are getting smarter and finding new ways to steal your personal information everyday. Without professional computer security software you are at risk of getting you personal data and identity stolen.

To use top rated and award winning software would give you maximum protection and block all intrusion that hackers would attempt to your computer. I have listed a few Internet Security software packages below. Check out their reviews and you'll get a good idea on what package is best for you.