Computer viruses spread through the internet, networks, and removable devices. Windows is the most targeted operating system, while Apple systems are less likely to be infected. Precautions include not opening suspicious email attachments or links, downloading antivirus software, and backing up data. Warning signs of infection include slow performance, frequent freezes or shutdowns, and unusual error messages.
Computer viruses are malicious, self-replicating programs that can spread from one computer to another over the Internet, a network, or a removable computing device such as a printer, floppy disk, CD, or USB drive. Over the past decade, the proliferation of Internet use in offices and homes has propagated the spread of computer viruses and the demand for virus detection and removal software. Due to its dominance as the most widely used operating system, Microsoft Windows is the platform most frequently targeted by virus writers. Conversely, Apple operating systems are less likely to be infected by computer viruses, a feature often emphasized in Mac advertising campaigns.
The most commonly known means of preventing computer viruses is to refrain from opening e-mail attachments of unknown origin or suspicious name. However, computer viruses can also be spread via text email and instant messages if the user clicks on an infected web address link within the message. Once inside a host computer, a virus can attach itself to an executable file within a given program. Once you open the program, the virus code will run and replicate itself. In order to avoid detection, many computer viruses use stealthy cloaking techniques that are written into their code, such as the ability to even interfere with antivirus software.
There are a number of precautionary measures that one can take to minimize the risk of contracting computer viruses. Popular antivirus systems, McAfee®’s Norton AntiVirus and VirusScan® are available for download and purchase over the Internet, while antivirus systems such as AVG Anti-virus and security software are available for free download over the Internet. Antivirus systems must always be updated in order to adequately block the most recent computer viruses. Computer users should also refrain from opening suspicious email attachments, clicking suspicious HTML links and downloading programs of unknown origin over the Internet. as much as possible. To prevent data loss in the event of a virus infection, computer users should regularly back up their systems to a separate disk or hard drive.
While antivirus software is the best tool for detecting whether or not your computer is infected with a virus, there are a number of warning signs that are easy to spot. For example, if your computer runs at a slower pace than usual, freezes or shuts down frequently, restarts by itself, prevents access to certain disks or drives, or displays unusual error messages, you may be infected from a computer virus.
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