The damage a computer virus can inflict on your system depends on many things, including how sophisticated the virus is. Here is a short listing of the types of damage viruses can do to your computer — they can really hit you where it hurts:
Some viruses can delete or change files. Some viruses will delete all of your documents, or even reformat your hard drive, making your computer unusable.
Some viruses can release confidential information like credit card information, account numbers, and passwords by emailing it to random email addresses or the address of the virus writer.
Some viruses can slow down your system dramatically.
Some viruses plant monitoring software or change security settings that allow hackers to enter your computer without you knowing about it and steal information or control it.
Other viruses, like the Internet worm that hit recently, also can have widespread effects on computer networks and the Internet.
How do you know if you have a computer virus?
If you’re not running an antivirus program (see the next section), you may not know at all since many viruses are benign. Some symptoms of a virus infection are:
Your computer displays strange messages, plays music, or shows odd graphic displays.
Your computer takes longer to boot up, operates more slowly than usual, and takes longer to start programs.
Your computer has much less memory or hard drive space available.
Some legitimate software can cause these symptoms, so *the only way you can be sure your computer is virus-free is to regularly scan it for viruses using antivirus software*.
How Can You Protect Your Computer From Viruses?
As we’ve indicated, you need antivirus software to be safe. You should consider the cost of the software as part of the purchase of your computer — it’s that important.
Once you’ve installed the antivirus software, you will need to download regular updates that tells the antivirus software about new viruses and how to detect them. Most antivirus software comes with a year’s worth of updates, and you can usually set the software to either automatically download the updates, or display a reminder for you to do so.
This is vital since there are over 500 new viruses discovered each month!
Norton AntiVirus and McAfee VirusScan are the two best-known antivirus programs for the Microsoft Windows operating systems. For Macintosh users, Norton AntiVirus and McAfee’s Virex for Macintosh provide protection. For Linux users, try RAV AntiVirus.
While the vast majority of viruses are written to infect Windows-based systems, Macintosh and Linux users should still also have virus protection.
All antivirus software lets you scan the computer’s memory and hard drive for viruses. Depending on the software package, the antivirus program may also be able to protect against:
Incoming emails and email attachments with viruses.
Viruses received through instant messaging, such as ICQ.
Infected downloaded files, before you open the file.
Attacks against your computer from outside (firewall software).
If you prefer not paying for internet security, AVG Anti-Virus provides a free version of its antivirus program and free updates for Windows-based computers. And if you just want to scan your computer for viruses for free right now, check out Trend Micro’s free online virus scan and McAfee FreeScan.
Look for Part 3 – How Can Your Computer Catch a Virus? in the next issue.
To read more about viruses and scams, click here.