Fight Against Viruses

What is a Virus?

A virus or worm or trojan horse is a computer program that can spread across computers and networks by making copies of itself, usually without the user's knowledge.

Viruses can have harmful effects. These can range from displaying annoying messages to stealing data or giving other people control over your computer.

A virus program has to be run before it can infect a computer. Viruses have ways of making sure that this happens. They can attach themselves to other programs or hide in code that is run automatically when you open certain types of file. Sometimes they can exploit security flaws in your computer's operating system to run and to spread themselves automatically. You might receive an infected file in an email attachment, in a download from the internet, or on a disk. As soon as the file is launched, the virus code runs. Then the virus can copy itself to other files or disks and make changes on your computer. Trojan horses are programs that pretend to be legitimate software, but actually carry out hidden, harmful functions. Viruses can download Trojans which record keystrokes or steal information. Worms are similar to viruses but do not need a carrier program or document. Worms simply create exact copies of themselves and use network (including the internet) communications between computers to spread.

How does a Virus Affect Me?

A virus can do any of these:

• Steals confidential data by recording a user's keystrokes, including passwords and credit card (bank) information, and making this available the virus writer. This data can then also be used to obtain credit cards, drivers licenses, etc, in your name, and then these ID pieces can be sold. Identity theft is becoming more and more prevalent.
• Uses your computer to attack websites making those sites crash.
• Lets other users hijack your computer. Some viruses place a "backdoor" on the computer, allowing the virus writer to connect to your computer and use it for their own purposes.
• Corrupts data in files such as Excel spreadsheets.
• Deletes data files or format an entire hard drive.
• Slows down email. Viruses that spread by email can create so much traffic that servers slow down or crash.
• Disables hardware. One particular virus attempts to overwrite the BIOS chip on a certain day to make the computer unusable.
• Plays pranks, such as making computers beep sporadically or slowing it down to a crawl, or rebooting.
• Displays nuisance messages.
• Damages your credibility. If a virus forwards itself from your computer to your customers and business partners, they may refuse to do business with you, or demand compensation.
• Causes embarrassment. Your documents and your name may be posted on pornographic newsgroups.

What Can I Do?

There are simple measures you can take to prevent virus infection, but make sure to educate all members of your household (or users in your company).

• Install anti-virus software and update it regularly. Anti-virus programs can detect and often disinfect viruses. If the software offers on-access virus checking, use it.
• Watch out for security updates for your operating system. These often close loopholes that make you vulnerable to viruses or hackers.
• Be aware that you are at risk if you open email attachments, download files from websites, or swap any kind of disks.
• A firewall can prevent unauthorized access to your network and also prevent viruses sending out information.
• Keep backups of all your data and software. If you are affected by a virus, you can replace your files and programs with clean copies. Make sure to do a virus scan before you do a backup, so you know you have a clean backup.

Virus Prevalence

Viruses are cyber-vandalism. The information below is provided by Sophos.

Virus Information Links

• Sophos, an up and coming leader of virus protection solutions
• Network Associates, makers of McAfee AntiVirus - look for "Virus Information"