Computer Viruses
How is a computer virus a threat to computer security?
Think of a biological virus – the kind that makes you sick. It’s persistently nasty, keeps you from functioning normally and often requires something powerful to get rid of it. A computer virus is very similar. Designed to relentlessly replicate, viruses infect your computer programs and files, alter the way your computer operates or stop it from working altogether. It’s estimated that the Mydoom worm virus infected a quarter-million computers in a single day in 2004. Tens of thousands of viruses now operate over the Internet, and new ones are discovered every day.
How does a computer virus find me?
Even if you’re careful you can pick up these dangerous, unwanted programs through normal Web activities like:
- Sharing music, files or photos with other users
- Visiting a devious Web site
- Opening spam email or an email attachment
- Downloading free games, toolbars, media players and other system utilities
- Installing mainstream software applications without fully reading license agreements
What can a computer virus do to me?
Some computer viruses are programmed to harm your PC by damaging programs, deleting files, or reformatting the hard drive. Others simply replicate themselves or flood a network with traffic, making it impossible to perform any internet activity. Even less harmful viruses can significantly disrupt your system’s performance, sapping computer memory and causing frequent computer crashes.
How will I know?
Nine out of 10 Internet-connected PCs are infected with spyware, so it’s very likely some form of computer virus is already at work on your computer. Your PC may be infected if you recognize any of these malware symptoms:
- Slow PC performance
- Erratic computer behavior
- Unexplained data loss
- Frequent computer crashes
What can I do about a computer virus?
When you arm yourself with information and resources, you’re wiser about computer security threats and less vulnerable to threat tactics. Take these steps to fortify your computer security against viruses right away:
Make sure that you have the best security software products installed on your PC:
- Use antivirus protection and a firewall
- Get antispyware software protection
- Update your operating system regularly
- Increase your browser security settings
- Avoid questionable Web sites
- Only download software from sites you trust. Carefully evaluate free software and file-sharing applications before downloading them.
Practice safe email protocol:
- Don't open messages from unknown senders
- Immediately delete messages you suspect to be spam
An unprotected computer is like an open door for computer viruses. Firewalls monitor Internet traffic in and out of your computer and hide your PC from online scammers looking for easy targets. Products like Webroot Internet Security Essentials and Webroot AntiVirus with Spy Sweeper provide complete protection from the two most dangerous threats on the Internet – spyware and viruses. They thwart threats before they can enter your PC, stand guard at every possible entrance of your computer and fend off any virus that tries to enter, even the most damaging and devious strains.
While free antivirus downloads are available, they just can’t keep up with the continuous onslaught of new computer virus strains. Previously undetected forms of can often do the most damage, so it’s critical to have up-to-the-minute, guaranteed protection.