Computer viruses can affect a companies efficiency and productivity. Many modern computer viruses can only be identified by the symptoms, not all computer viruses can be detected.

What are Computer Viruses?

Viruses are computer programs that have the ability to duplicate and install themselves on computers without the consent of the computer user. Viruses can do a lot more than just prevent a computer from operating properly. They can have a range of functions that span from the ability to send Spam Mail through to extracting and sharing personal information.

The installation of anti-virus software such as Norton 360 should be enough to catch nearly all viruses. However some can go undetected. Microsoft’s operating systems are the most frequently targeted by the manufacturers of computer viruses. Computer viruses spread in three different ways:

  1. Removable media
  2. Downloads from the Internet
  3. Email attachment

Infection in the majority of cases can be avoided by always having an active subscription to an anti-virus software vendor and ensuring that the software is turned on. All downloads and attachments should be scanned before opening and as a rule of thumb do not open attachments from people you do not know or from emails you were not expecting. Also stay safe on the web and use a site advisor, it will help you determine the safety any content you might want to download.

There are four main types of computer virus. Program viruses attach themselves to a programs executable file, Macro viruses attach themselves to the actual file a program uses, Boot sector viruses execute when the computer is turned on and Trojan Horses allow hackers to have direct access to your hard drive and all its programs and files.

Free Anti-Virus Products

The dangers and illegality of using free anti-virus products

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When our computers are constantly under threat from spyware, malware and Trojans, we need reliable anti-virus protection. Once a virus has an iron like grip on your pc it’s going to take a professional to remove it successfully, and restore any damaged files. If you’ve fallen foul of a virus, you may have been told to get decent anti-virus software to protect your computer. You’re hard up so you download one of the many free anti-virus products out there. Sorted. But are you? Read more