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Viruses
and Security Issues
 A virus is a
program or programming code that replicates by being copied or
initiating its copying to another program, computer boot sector or
document. Computer Viruses can be transmitted as attachments in an
e-mail, or in a downloaded file, or be present on a diskette or CD.
Trojans are one
way a hacker can get into your system, but there are other ways a
hacker can gain access to your critical system files. A good firewall
can help minimize that risk. Although firewall software is good, it's
better to have a hardware barrier, such as a router, between your
internal network and the internet. The internet community will only
see the router's IP address, not the computer within your LAN.
Consider
checking downloads for spyware. Lavasoft's Ad Aware is a great
program for detecting freeware that is tracking your surfing
habits. The new version allows you to quickly update the program's
database to detect new methods implemented by spyware.
Lastly, once you
think your system is safe, visit
Shields-up
to see if your right. They will scan your system for exploits and
give you the results.
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Boot Sector: A Boot Sector
Virus infects the System area of a floppy or hard drive. They
attach to the DOS boot sector on diskettes or the Master Boot
Record on hard disks. They are activated when a user boots from an
infected disk.
Virus Hoax: Be aware of these
type of virus hoax. A virus hoax is a false warning about a
computer virus. Typically, the warning arrives in an e-mail note
or is distributed through a note in a company's internal network.
These notes are usually forwarded using distribution lists and
they will typically suggest that the recipient forward the note to
other distribution lists. If you get a message about a new virus,
you can check it out by going to one of the leading Web sites that
keep up with viruses and virus hoaxes. If someone sends you a note
about a virus that you learn is a virus hoax, reply to the sender
that the virus warning is a hoax.
File Infector
Viruses: Most of these viruses reside in the memory
of a computer and infect programs' .exe and .com files.
Master Boot Record
Viruses: Similar to a Boot Sector viruses, these
viruses infect the Master Boot Record and prevent your system from
booting.
Multi-partite
viruses: Infect both the Boot record and program
files.
Macro
viruses:
Macro Viruses are
prevalent in corporate environments where office suites are used.
They use a program's code to infect data files.
Other
Malicious Codes
Worms:
Worms replicate themselves without using a host file and
can spread very quickly across the internet. A computer worm is a
self-replicating virus that does not alter files but resides in
active memory and duplicates itself. Worms use parts of an
operating system that are automatic and usually invisible to the
user. It is common for worms to be noticed only when their
uncontrolled replication consumes system resources, slowing or
halting your computer.
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Virus Information
Trojan Horses: These
viruses do not replicate themselves. Instead, they often pose as a
harmless file that is downloaded from the web. A Trojan horse is a
program in which malicious or harmful code is contained inside
apparently harmless programming or data in such a way that it can
get control of your computer, and do its damage as programed to
do, such as ruining the file allocation table (FAT) on your hard
disk. These programs can result in the theft or destruction of
data files. This type of virus is commonly picked up from
peer to peer file sharing programs, such as music sharing
programs. Scan your system frequently with your Antivirus
software to make sure your system is clean.
Don't have one? Check out our
Avast Antivirus,
(free for residential users). |
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