Computer Viruses

A computer virus is a piece of code or a small executable program that cause the computer to malfunction and even crash. A virus infected computer acts differently like it shows unusual screen display, error messages, slows down the normal system operations and degrade the hardware/software functionalities.  In the recent years, there have been an increased number of the computer viruses and other online threats, which includes spyware, adware, Trojan horses, malware, badware, web worm, malicious codes and rootkits.  Many viruses are very destructive and they can crash hard disk, processor or the whole system.  Fixing a virus infected computer can be very costly and a long procedure.  If you system shows any of the below symptoms then it may be attacked by the viruses or spyware.

Symptoms of the Virus Infected System

• Unusual error messages.
• System runs slow than usual.
• System hangs up frequently.
• Computer crashes
• Computer restarts itself after every few seconds.
• Disk drives inaccessible.
• Computer’s applications do not work.
• Hard disk’s LED/Indicator seems to be busy most of the time.
• System utilizes more resources than normal.
• Antivirus program disabled for no reason.
• An Antivirus program does not run and can’t be installed.
• Distorted desktop items, menus and dialog boxes.
• Windows works incorrectly.

Best Antivirus Software

• Norton Antivirus
• Trend Micro Antivirus & Anti spyware
• McAfee Virus Scan
• Panda Antivirus
• Norman Virus Control
• Bit Defender Antivirus
• Kaespersky

Virus Protection Tips

It has been said that “prevention is better than cure”.  Preventing your computer with an antivirus program is much better than dealing with a virus infected computer.  The following tips are very useful in protecting a computer from the viruses and other internal and external threats.

• Use an up-to-date antivirus program and regularly scan your computer with it.
• Update your Windows based operating system from the Microsoft’s website.
• Use an up-to-dated anti spyware program.
• Raise the security level of your web browsers.
• Use a software/hardware firewall and make the security settings very tight.
• If you are administering a computer network, limit the users’ access and monitor their online activities.
• Never open an email attachment and a web link through MSN messenger from unknown source.
• Don’t run unknown executable programs.
• Delete Junk emails from your inbox and NEVER reply to them.
• Block the source IP addresses of the SPAM emails.
• Backup your system’s critical data on the regular basis.
• DO NOT download, execute or open email attachment from unknown and suspicious sources.
• Do not install unused programs on your system.
• Exercise great caution when downloading the files from internet.
• Do not use Floppy disk in your system for data transfer.
• Update your gateway computer/device, server and all the client computers in your network with strong firewall, antivirus and anti spyware solutions.

The above mentioned tips are really helpful in dealing not only with the viruses but also with the other known threats like spyware, adware, Trojans, browser’s hijacking, unauthorized access and the hacker’ attacks.