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What is computer virus? How to get rid of them?



Computer Virus Definitions:

A computer virus is a program which attach itself to another program and causes damage to the computer system or to the computer network. More formal definition for computer virus would be-"It is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes."

What virus can do with your system?

These viruses work without the knowledge of the users and spread from one computer to another through the network, Internet or removable devices like CDs and USB drives. They can then steal your valuable & confidential or sensitive data (eg., Passwords, Databases, Credit card information, etc), may be delete or corrupt them, virus can provide remote access to attacker, monitor your activities.

Who create the computer viruses?

All computer viruses are man made. Any one who having good knowledge about programming language (like C, C++, VB, pascal, etc) can write a virus code. Writing computer virus is a criminal activity and it is a punishable by law.

Symptoms of virus attack?

Common symptoms of virus attack are missing files, system some time get trouble in booting up or starting up, degraded system or hardware performance, system crashing for unknown reasons, etc.

Types of viruses:

  • Stealth virus: It hides the modification it has made in the file or boot records.
  • Boot sector virus: This type of virus infects the boot sector and spread through system when system is booted from disk containing virus.
  • Memory resident virus: This type of virus lives in memory i.e RAM after it gets executed. It then inserts themselves as a part of operating system or application and can manipulate any file that is executed, copied, or moved.
  • Non-resident virus: This type of virus execute itself and then terminated after specific time.
  • Parasitic virus: It attach itself to executable program or code and then replicate itself.
  • Macro virus: This type of viruses are not executable, it affects MS word like documents. They spread through email.
  • Email viruses: These viruses spread through emails. They get executed when infected email attachment file is open by recipient.
  • Worms: This is a special type of virus that can replicate itself and use memory, but cannot attach itself to other programs.
  • Logic Bombs: They are type of malwares or viruses that deliberately installed, generally by an authorized user. It is a code embedded in some legitimate program that is set to explode when certain conditions are met.

How to get rid of them? or How to protect your computer system from viruses?

So we have learn what are viruses now it is time to protect your computer from virus attacks.

→Install latest security updates for your operating system provided by manufacturer.

→Use trusted anti-virus or anti-malware program on your computer. Make sure to update it as soon as manufacturer provide it. It is a good idea to scan your whole computer at least twice in week for viruses by these anti-virus softwares.

→Use firewalls provided by your OS manufacturer or install third party firewall. They can help alert you to suspicious activity if a virus or worm attempts to connect to your computer. It can also block viruses, worms, and hackers from attempting to download potentially harmful programs to your computer.

→Uninstall unauthorized, useless softwares.

→Disable all unnecessary services which are running in background.

→Remove unnecessary user accounts. Restrict permissions on files and access to the registry.

→Clear browser history, cache, cookies. Use browser security settings. Do not visit unauthorized websites. Use security addons for your browser.

→Do not open link provided by unknown or untrusted or simply by spam emails. Do not open attachment sent by spam or junk mails.
I hope you have got enough information regarding computer viruses. Let me know if you have any query for regarding this article. Please post it below in the comment section. I would like to help you! Please share this information with your friend circle to aware them. Thank you!

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