Virus warning to internet users

Shield yourself from Digital Disease

Your computer is a sophisticated machine and it is capable of doing things that you have never dreamed of. No matter what speed or memory your computer operates at, it is at serious risk from the hidden threats that lurk underneath the internet.

A virus is a program that replicates itself. It cannot exist on its own so it attaches to another program, usually an executable one. A worm is like a virus—it also replicates itself. However, it can stand on its own and does not need another program to run. It usually infects your computer’s networking features, which includes its internet connection. Both of these can destroy your information, and your good name by sending out spam by the sack full. 

Spyware and adware go hand-in-hand. Spyware is a kind of program which gathers information, specifically browsing habits. It tracks down what kind of sites you visit, and the adware will generate ads that fit with your interest which the spyware based on information it gathered in the first place.

Malware is malicious software. It’s any program that is useless, or worse, destructive. A Trojan a program pretending to be good but once it’s deep in your system it proves to be quite the opposite. Some of these harmful beasts will silently connect your phone line to a premium rate offshore number and run up a horrendous account, you don't even realize until you get your bill.

In spite of all their differences, they have one thing in common: they are out to give you headaches by rendering your computer unusable.

As your business grows, so does the value of the information you store on it. Start right now to protect your computer as much as possible from being infected, here are four dangerous activities that you should avoid, or at least minimize:

• Opening email attachments

Do not open any email attachments if they aren’t scanned by antivirus software. Worms can spread through email, so even a friend can unwittingly send you one by way of an attachment.

• Internet File-sharing

In file-sharing via the internet, your computer is exposed and open to others it is communicating with. If other computers’ files can be transferred to yours, the same thing can be said about a virus, if the others are infected.

• Downloading free software of questionable origins

Free software is free for a reason. If you read the End User License Agreement (EULA) of a software you are installing, you most likely will come upon a short and tiny clause saying that if you agree to the terms, you could be allowing advertisements to pop up on your screen, or other software to be installed in your system. So be careful with what you download. Read product reviews and find out if other people got headaches from using it.

• Visiting ad-heavy sites
If you visit a site and you’re immediately bombarded with pop-up ads, leave immediately. You might click on an ad that activates an automatic download of malicious software to your computer.

Here is the minimum measure of protection that you will need:

• Download a good antivirus software. Going online without the protection of antivirus software is like going out naked in the snow. That’s just how vulnerable an unprotected computer is.

• Most antivirus software packages include an internet security program (also known as firewall). A firewall acts as a barricade between you and unwanted content from the internet. When buying antivirus software, it’s better to shell out for the internet security as well.

• Whatever browser you are using, check that its security settings are all in default unless you really know what you are doing.

• Periodically delete files that you no longer need, try C cleaner.  This is a free download and you can pay a donation if you want to, but it's not compulsory. Originally titled crap cleaner, this handy tool will do just what it says and quickly, clean off the unwanted junk from your system. It takes just a few seconds and is fully automatic.

• Back up all your important files all the time.

Don’t be dependent on removal tools and antivirus software packages, though. A bit of prevention is always worth a megabyte of cure.