COMPUTER
VIRUSES
What is a Computer
Virus?
Viruses can go unnoticed
for a long period of time, causing no harm to your computer system.
However, some viruses may cause severe damage to data files or your
computer's hard disk drive resulting in reformatting your computer's
hard drive in order to remove the virus. Viruses can affect your
computer's memory, damaging files that are opened when using your
computer.
Even if the virus is considered to be a "non-damaging" virus, it
occupies the computer's hard drive, memory and CPU processing time
which are essential resources needed when operating your computer
system.
So what is a
Trojan Horse?
A Trojan Horse is a
program that pretends to be a safe application, showing no results
when executed on your computer system, but surprises the computer
user with horrible consequences when detected. Unlike a virus, a
Trojan Horse does not replicate, but they are similar when causing
damage to the computer system.
A Trojan Horse usually operates in the background of your computer
as another open program and is accessed by the hacker and controlled
by a remote computer system. With a Trojan Horse installed the
hacker can manipulate your computer system for their own needs. They
can use the infected computer system to attack other Internet user's
computers, open-mail relay, add or remove files and programs on your
computer, or gain all of your personal information stored on your
computer system.
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How about Worms?
A worm is a computer
program that duplicates copies of itself which it spreads on its
own. Unlike a virus, worms do not infect other computer programs or
files. To spread these program copies it has created, the worm virus
will attempt to infect other computers within a network, e-mail or
through Internet Relay Chat.
The worm virus can also infect several different registry keys, and
replace important boot up files. So when you restart your computer
it will change the normal boot up file you would use to start up
your computer to the worm virus file, so once you are up on your
desktop the worm virus is ready to act and spread itself. When
trying to eliminate the worm virus, if you do not remove all
infected pieces of this worm your infection may continue to become
worse.
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So how can I keep
from getting Viruses?
The
best way to protect your computer from a virus
is by installing virus protection (anti
virus) software. This software scans your
machine (usually when you start it up), locates
and removes any viruses that are found.
It is important to upgrade your virus protection
software regularly as new viruses appear every
day.
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request information regarding virus protection
software/service plans currently being offered:
COMPUTER
SPYWARE
How does spyware
get into my PC?
Spyware is usually
downloaded with free software (shareware). If you have ever
downloaded free programs, or music from the internet, no matter how
innocent they seemed, there is a good chance they contained other
programs that you didn't expect to install.
The user license for
shareware may tell you that other programs will be installed, but
these companies rely on the fact that not many people read the legal
jumble in the user license.
There are other ways
that your privacy can be violated via the internet, such as just
visiting certain websites, the use of certain browser toolbars, and
from infected email you may have opened.
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What different
types of spyware are out there?
There are many groups
of programs under the broad term of spyware, lets break down the
most popular, and take a look...
Adware:
Mainly low risk. These are programs that are quite often embedded in
freeware, and mainly display advertising messages to you, in the
hope that you will click on them with the possibility that you will
buy products or services from their principle sites.
Spyware:
Medium to high risk. Similar to adware, but spyware also
transmits data to the relevant companies about your surfing habits,
in order to bombard you with more targeted advertising messages.
Spyware can also be more sinister than this, as far as recording
personal details such as credit card details, social security
numbers, and bank details etc. It can also open the gateway
for other malicious program downloads such as trojans and malware,
and is notoriously difficult to manually remove.
Trojans:
High risk. Disguised as something they are not, or hidden in
seemingly innocent programs or files as attachments. Trojan
Horses can modify system settings, and perform undesirable functions
within your PC. Many trojans will allow hackers to bypass your
existing virus, and firewall protection, and can be extremely
difficult to locate or remove manually.
Diallers: high risk. These programs
'hijack' your dial-up modem, and force your internet connection via
premium rate numbers. Be wary at certain adult content sites,
as this is where these programs are used most aggressively, but not
exclusively. Many times they are downloaded with other spyware and
adware to try and influence you back to the site, via constant
pop-up advertising.
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Browser Hijackers:
Medium to high risk. Will change your home page settings,
install unwanted toolbars, place shortcuts on your desktop, add to
your favorites, redirect your browser to un-requested web sites, and
report your surfing habits back to the parent company.
Malware:
High risk. Short for malicious software, software designed
specifically to damage or disrupt your system, such as a virus or
trojan horse. Malware programs are specifically written to
inflict maximum damage, and potential loss of data from your PC.
Worms:
High risk. These are similar to viruses, yet are completely
self-replicating. This means that, unlike viruses which need
to attach themselves to other programs, worms spread on their own,
and are able to exploit the backdoor openings that certain spyware
attributes can create. Can be very damaging to your system.
Key-loggers:
High risk. These programs record your every keystroke,
including passwords, bank details, social security numbers etc.
The perpetrators of these programs are out to defraud you in a big
way.
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Surely my virus
protection would protect me from spyware?
Spyware, and viruses
are closely related in as far as they can both cause damage to your
PC, and also can allow access to your personal details, via hackers
etc. However spyware tends to install in a totally different
way than viruses, and therefore bypasses your conventional virus
protection and firewall.
Because spyware and
viruses are closely related, they overlap to a degree, so you will
find that virus software will 'catch' some spyware type infections,
and vica-verca.
In a nutshell, the only
way you can be completely protected is by using a good quality virus
protection, firewall, and anti-spyware
program.
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What can spyware
do if my PC is infected?
At best, details of
your internet browsing habits will be broadcast back to the owners
of the spyware that has been installed on your system.
The purpose of this
data gathering is to bombard you with advertising which closely
relates to your interests, in order to have a better chance of
selling you something.
Certain spyware
attributes are malicious, and can cause system crashes, loss of
data, or at least a very slow operating system.
At worst your
personal details can be stolen and used against you in a variety of
ways, such as credit card fraud, personal identity theft for
obtaining credit, passports, insurance fraud and the like.
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Isn't it illegal
for companies to distribute this kind of program?
Currently there is
virtually no legislation regarding the use and distribution of
spyware programs. However government officials in various
countries are looking into this, and laws could be passed in the
future controlling the use of such programs.
However this could
take years, and legislation would not stop the devious software
producers, and hackers continuing with illegal activity, so the
problem will quite probably get worse, not better.
What advice can
you give to help stop spyware?
We would recommend
prevention rather than cure. Stay away from dubious looking
websites, always read the small print in the user license agreements
especially with shareware downloads, and install and run a good
quality anti-spyware program alongside your regular virus software
and firewall.
Also, do not open
email and/or attachments to email if you are not completely
satisfied with their origin.
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