A virus is simply a series of malicious code that was assembled by a computer geek somewhere in the world with the intention of attacking your system. Some viruses are simply nuisances: For example, the Happy New Year virus that spread back in 1999. It was spread through e-mail: It was an attachment disguised as a cute little program that displayed fireworks and wished the viewer a happy new year. Instead of stopping there, it attached itself to the user’s e-mail address book, forwarding itself as an attachment to every e-mail the user sent out from then until the virus was captured and eliminated. It did not harm anybody, but it was certainly annoying!
Then there are the malicious codes that plague computer users worldwide. There is one called PE_WEIRD(The one that I contracted recently), that attacks executable program files. It replicates very quickly: One hour it has wiped out several important program files, and the next it has doubled or even tripled. The next thing you know, NONE of your favorite programs will run, your operating system is shutting itself down, and your file sizes have gotten much, MUCH larger because the virus has attached itself to them. I got rid of the virus with the help of PC-Cillin.but it was too late. PE_WEIRD had attached itself to my Windows executable files: When I had to re-boot my computer, it shut down.then re-started.then went immediately into the shut-down mode.then immediately back into start-up.it was the most annoying thing in the world! I lost all of my data and saved files because I had to have the drive re-formatted! It cost me thirty-five bucks and two days of being without my computer!
So, DiFranco, how do viruses get into my computer? It’s not like I download from https://download-your-very-own-virus.org or anything!’’ True enough.
What usually happens is this:
You find a file on the Internet that you like - let’s say for the sake of argument that it is an MP3 audio file. You download it - but your virus software is either nonexistent or is not enabled! You try to run the MP3 file(which, oddly enough, seemed to be rather large even for that type of file). Sometimes the MP3 will play, which leaves you no reason to be suspicious. But, sometimes it will have errors in it that are not explainable. You delete the worthless file, but the damage has already begun: By executing the file, you have unleashed the virus! Depending on the type of virus, it will attack your hard drive, delete important systems files, erase data, forward itself to other users, et cetera.
Okay then. This just sucks, doesn’t it?! You bet!
So.if you’ve already got a virus, try loading any popular anti-virus software: I strongly recommend Norton AntiVirus or PC-Cillin. They are both up-to-date, able to catch just about any virus regardless of how new or sneaky it is. Generally these softwares can either ’’clean’’ the infected files, delete them(which is not recommended, as most of the time the files are very important!), or quarantine them - separate them from the rest of your system so that the infection cannot spread.
Sometimes it’s too late, and you will have to either re-format your hard drive, re-load the damaged software, or take your computer into a licensed professional for further damage control procedures. So, all in all, the best way to keep your computer happy is to prevent viruses.
USE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE. I currently use both PC-Cillin and Norton Antivirus because I have better virus coverage. While both software companies DO update frequently to catch the ’’newer’’ viruses, I still feel a bit of concern regarding files and types that may have been missed. So, I alternate between the two programs, so that they both scan the same files and drives at different times throughout the week.
Remember, you have to use the software for it to work! You also have to update frequently - sometimes as often as once a week! Norton AntiVirus is great because it features a LiveUpdate program: It can be set to automatically go onto the Internet, connect to the site, and download/install the udpated files. It’s easy!
Also, change the settings so that the virus software automatically scans ALL downloads and installations before you have the chance to open them. This way the MP3 you downloaded or the e-mail attachment you received will be checked and, if a virus is detected, promptly dealt with.
DON’T GET PARANOID. Just because it’s possible for viruses to spread through e-mail attachments and downloads doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself from the rest of the world. Feel free to use the Internet and communicate with your friends - safely and responsibly, that is.
USE YOUR BRAIN. Does the file seem rather large? Are you downloading from someplace other than the program’s official Web site? Is the Web site well-known? Do you know the user who sent you an e-mail attachment? You have to ask yourself these and other ’’common-sense’’ questions before you jump into that cool-looking file. If you’re thinking before you click your mouse, odds are you’ll be making wiser decisions about your system’s integrity and safety.
With all of that out of the way, here we go into the big, wide world of antivirus software!
I recommend that you use an antivirus program that is customizable. Can you set it to automatically scan all downloads and e-mails? Can you set it to automatically perform a scan of every file on every drive at a certain time, whether the computer is idle or not? Can it automatically download an updated virus library from its site and install it for you? What about individual file scanning?(With Norton Antivirus, all I have to do is right-click on a file I just downloaded and select ’’Scan with Norton Antivirus’’ in order to check it for viruses. That way I’m absolutely positive that the file is clean - even though I DO have Norton set to automatically scan everything I download.)
Choose software that can find all the major types of viruses: System viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms, et cetera. There are many different methods that viruses use to attack your system: For effective virus protection, your software has to actively search for all of the types out there. What good is it to scan for Worm viruses when the file you just downloaded contains a virus that attacks executable files?
Using multiple software isn’t always a bad idea. Just remember to adjust the settings on each program so that they do not conflict with each other: Setting two programs to automatically scan downloads will NOT bring happy results, trust me! Rather, adjusting them so that one will automatically scan all downloads and the other will scan the entire system once a week or every day will generally result in more comprehensive protection. You can always fiddle with the settings to produce results that are more to your personal liking, of course.
Granted, software is expensive - sometimes upwards of fifty dollars! But, it’s cheaper than replacing your system, losing all of your data, or otherwise being attacked by a nasty little bug that some bored guy or girl in an anonymous city created in a moment of wickedry.