Saturday, May 3, 2014

General Information About Computer Viruses

By Frankline Bell


We all have heard of computer viruses and, of course, we know they aren't a good thing to have on one's computer, but most of us don't really know how a virus works. Here is some basic information about computer viruses and some helpful tips for preventing viruses and even finding a cure.

As you probably know, computer programs are built using source code and viruses are no exception. A virus is basically a computer program that will attach itself to other computer programs and continue to replicate attachments to files and your hard drive. It's very similar to an actual virus that replicates within our cells and then spreads to other cells. Except instead of making us sick, it makes our computers sick. This could mean that you will lose all of the open space in your hard drive or it could destroy various data files and programs. Sometimes they infect our email and send out emails to all of our contacts, spreading the virus even further onto other computers.

The vast majority of computer users in the United States use a computer with a Windows operating system. For instance, many people have a PC with either Windows 7 or Windows 8. Because so many people use Windows, most viruses are created to attack these operating systems. So if you have a Mac or use Linux as your operating system, you are far less likely to encounter a virus simply because those creating viruses tend to focus on Windows where they ostensibly get more bang for their buck, so to speak. However there are viruses that attack Macs or Linux users, and those using software to emulate Windows might be susceptible to a Windows virus.

There are many ways to protect your computer from a virus. For one thing, resist the urge to click on pop-up ads, especially those that look like anti-virus software and claim that your computer is infected, as this is a scam and probably a virus. Also, be careful about the emails you open. If you don't recognize the sender or it's from a contact but is missing a subject line or the subject line looks odd, simply delete it and don't open the file. Many viruses are transmitted by email and even on social media sites, such as Facebook. In general, be very careful before you click on a link from anyone or download anything from the internet.

Having a good antivirus program installed on your computer can be an excellent way to protect your system. Installing an antivirus program with a firewall can provide even more security. Make sure that you allow the program to make updates, as these help make your computer more secure. Updating to the latest version of your favorite browsers is also a good way to help prevent viruses. Antivirus programs cannot protect you from everything, but if you are cautious and have antivirus software in place, you are much less likely to become infected.

If you have a computer that has been infected, it can be a good idea to call in a professional service to clean up your system. At GeeksAKnockin, for example, the spyware and virus removal service includes the removal of all malicious software, they perform a comprehensive security audit to identify any vulnerability, they evaluate your system to ensure it is performing normally and they provide information to help you make sure that your PC is protected against future security issues.




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