Computer virus and antivirus

Complied by KAYODE

A computer virus(Malware) or worm is a self-replicating program that can spread by email or by inserting copies of itself into other programs or documents.

Virus epidemics mostly infect Microsoft Windows systems due to their popularity

how to avoid them

Don’t download all your email to an email Don’t download all your email to an email client unseen. Screen your email first, client unseen. Screen your email first, and delete suspicious-looking and and delete suspicious-looking and unwanted messages before downloading unwanted messages before downloading the legitimate email to your local email the legitimate email to your local email clientclient

Make sure your computer has updated anti-virus software running on it. Automatic updates are essential for effective virus protection. Combined with server side scanning, you now have two layers of security.

Disable message preview in your email client, especially on Windows platforms. Otherwise, malicious programs attached to incoming messages may execute automatically and infect your computer.

Take caution when opening graphics and media attachments, as viruses can be disguised as such files.

Maintain several independent email accounts. If a virus infects your only business email address, you’ll be in trouble. Also, keep backups of your most important email and files separately.

Virus-makers and spammers often cooperate in devious schemes to send as much spam as possible as efficiently as possible. They create viruses that infect vulnerable computers around the world and turn them into spam-generating “robots“. The infected computers then send massive amounts of spam, unbeknownst to the computer owner.

There are various types of computer viruses designed by who? to do one thing...Cause havoc on your computer and you.

Trojan HorseSpywareAdwareWormsBoot sector VirusesTime bombsBoot Sector VirusBrowser HijackerFile Infector VirusPolymorphic VirusMacro VirusWeb Scripting Virus

Believe it or not, a lot of viruses are written to target Microsoft software.  Viruses writers know the majority of users use Windows as their Operating system and Internet Explorer as their web browser.  One easy way to reduce your chances of picking up a virus is to run a Linux operating system and use a web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

A program written to deliver a malicious program that may then cause destruction to your computer.  A Trojan horse is delivered by someone or hidden within another program that may seem harmless.

A program written to monitor your actions on a computer.  A common type of spyware is a key-logger program.  This program can record every key stroke and mouse click you make.  Spyware can be delivered via a Trojan horse program.  Some spyware is not meant to be malicious, such as tracking cookies.  A tracking cookie tracks your internet usage and sends the information back to its source.

Adware is a form of malware.  One word - pop-ups.  Adware is designed to pop up advertisements.  Adware can be very annoying.

Just a nasty little program to cause slowness in a network.  A worm will replicate itself and spread from computer to computer.  Worms are commonly spread through email attachments.

Not so common anymore, but they were nasty little programs that got loaded into your master boot record.  Most commonly spread by floppy disks.  These viruses could then launch themselves before your operating system even loaded.  Today most BIOS prevents code from being written to the boot sector.

A virus written to execute at a later date or upon an action performed.  These programs lay dormant until an event occurs.

Browser Hijacker

A virus that will over take your web browser and automatically redirect you to another website.

A virus that lives within a file, typically a .exe file.  When the file is executed, it will then run its nasty code.

Polymorphic VirusA virus written to change itself in order to evade virus detection.

A virus that hides itself inside of macros used by programs such as Microsoft Excel.

Web Scripting Virus

A virus that hides within a website.  Some are put there on purpose, some get injected into websites that are not properly secured.

Signs of an infected computer can be numerous depending on which virus your computer is infected with.Common signs are:Computer running very slowNumerous pop-upsHard Drive filling upApplications launching by themselvesCD/DVD drive opening and closing by itselfComputer freezing and crashing

Anti-virus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more.

These tools are critical for users to have installed and up-to-date because a computer without anti-virus software installed will be infected within minutes of connecting to the internet. The bombardment is constant, with anti-virus companies update their detection tools constantly to deal with the more than 60,000 new pieces of malware created daily.

There are several different companies that build and offer anti-virus software and what each offers can vary but all perform some basic functions:Scan specific files or directories for any malware or known malicious patternsAllow you to schedule scans to automatically run for youAllow you to initiate a scan of a specific file or of your computer, or of a CD or flash drive at any time.Remove any malicious code detected –sometimes you will be notified of an infection and asked if you want to clean the file, other programs will automatically do this behind the scenes.Show you the ‘health’ of your computer

Cyber Defender [ P ]Protector Plus [ P ]G Data Antivirus [ P ]Max Secure Antivirus [ P ]ClamWin [ F ]Spyware Doctor [ F ]Outpost Antivirus [ P ]Zone Alarm Antivirus [ P ]BitDefender Antivirus [ P ]McAfee Antivirus [ P ]Tizer Secure [ P ]Vipre Antivirus [ P ]

Vba32 antivirus [ p ]Quick heal antivirus [ p ]Rising antivirus [ b ]Kingsoft antivirus [ b ]Vexira antivirus [ p ]Arcavir antivirus [ p ]Nprotect antivirus [ p ]Virobot antivirus [ p ]Antiy antivirus [ p ]System shield antivirus [ p ]Csam antivirus [ p ]Blue point security [ p ]Microsoft security essentials [ f ]Net protector antivirus [ p ]Eacceleration antivirus [ p ]Zillya! Antivirus [ b ]Paretologic antivirus plus [ p ]Blink personal [ p ]Drive sentry [ p ]

P = Paid AntivirusF = Free AntivirusB = Paid and Free both Available

Avira Antivirus [ B ]Avast Antivirus [ B ]AVG Antivirus [ B ]Immunet Protect [ B ]Emsisoft Antimalware [ B ] free version has no Real time ProtectionDigital Patrol [ P ]K7 Antivirus [ P ]eScan Antivirus [ P ]Comodo Antivirus [ P ]Dr.Web Antivirus [ P ]Digital Defender Antivirus [ P ]

Kaspersky Antivirus often treated as the best available Antivirus application and has a special version for file servers. It covers almost all sections needed for a top class security. Kaspersky provides hourly virus definition update to keep you up-to-date.

BitDefender is one of the best antivirus with top class defending ability. It provides hourly definition updates for latest threats. BitDefender comes with P2P File Sharing and Registry Startup Protection but lacks Email scanning.

Trend Micro is a well-known and popular antivirus with Spyware and Adware Protection. It has some great features including Remote File Lock that safeguards your private files in case your laptop is lost or stolen. But lacks P2P File Sharing and Registry Startup Scanning.

Norton Antivirus is one of the most popular and well-known antivirus application. The latest version has the ability to map your wireless home network and safeguards your wi-fi networks. Recently Norton has introduced a special version for gaming PCs known as Norton 2009 Gaming Edition. It comes with daily virus definition update but no support for P2P File Sharing and Registry Startup Protection.

McAfee is one of the leading antivirus in security industry. McAfee introduced 2 features ScriptStopper and WormStopper. But it has no support for P2P File Sharing, Instant Messenger and Registry Startup. The inbuilt updater updates virus definitions on a regular basis to keep your up-to-date.

Panda Antivirus comes with a new feature call UltraFast scan engine that scan almost 30% faster compared to other antivirus applications. It has few unique features as followsIdentity protection through Anti-Phishing Filter and Anti-Banking Trojans EnginePanda Antivirus has an advanced heuristic scan which maximum possible identity theftInbuilt Personal Firewall