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A virus is a program that replicates itself. It cannot exist on its own so
it attaches to another program, usually an executable one.
A worm is like a virus—it also replicates itself. However, it can stand
on its own and does not need another program to run. It usually infects your
computer’s networking features, which includes its internet connection.
Spyware and adware go hand-in-hand. Spyware is a kind of program which gathers
information, specifically browsing habits.
It tracks down what kind of sites you visit, and the adware will generate ads
that fit with your interest which the spyware based on information it gathered
in the first place.
Malware is malicious software. It’s any program that is useless, or worse,
destructive. A Trojan a program pretending to be good but once it’s deep
in your system it proves to be quite the opposite.
In spite of all their differences, they have one thing in common: they are
out to give you headaches by rendering your computer unusable.
To protect your computer as much as possible from being infected, here are
four dangerous activities that you should avoid, or at least minimize:
• Opening email attachments
Do not open any email attachments if they aren’t scanned by antivirus
software. Worms can spread through email, so even a friend can unwittingly send
you one by way of an attachment.
• Internet File-sharing
In file-sharing via the internet, your computer is exposed and open to others
it is communicating with. If other computers’ files can be transferred
to yours, the same thing can be said about a virus, if the others are infected.
• Downloading free software of questionable origins.
Free software is free for a reason. If you bothered to read the End User License
Agreement (EULA) of a software you are installing—which you probably didn’t—you
most likely will come upon a short and tiny clause saying that if you agree
to the terms, you are allowing advertisements to pop up on your screen, or other
software to be installed in your system.
So be careful with what you download. Read product reviews and find out if
other people got headaches from using it.
• Visiting ad-heavy sites
If you visit a site and you’re immediately bombarded with pop-up ads,
leave immediately. You might click on an ad that activates an automatic download
of malicious software to your computer.
Here is a list of activities which you should be doing instead:
• Invest in good antivirus software. Going online without the protection
of antivirus software is like going out naked in the snow. That’s just
how vulnerable an unprotected computer is.
• Most antivirus software packages include an internet security program
(also known as firewall). A firewall acts as a barricade between you and unwanted
content from the internet. When buying antivirus software, it’s better
to shell out for the internet security as well.
• Once antivirus software is installed in your computer, keep it updated
always so it can recognize and remove newly released viruses.
• Whatever browser you are using, check that its security settings are
all in default unless you really know what you are doing.
• Periodically delete files that you no longer use.
• Download spyware- and adware-removal tools and run them at least once
a week. Be warned that many of these removal programs are a scam, so make sure
that what you download is reliable. You can easily search for product reviews
to check if the program is legitimate or otherwise.
• Back up all your important files all the time.
• If possible, have two computers at home. One will be used to connect
to the internet, and the other should not be connected at all.
The second computer will act as storage of all your important files so that
even if the first one crashes, your life won’t be in ruins.
Don’t be dependent on removal tools and antivirus software packages, though.
About the Author:
Sean Felker is the publisher of the very successful and popular Work at Home
and Making Money on the Internet blog:
http://making-money-online.blogspot.com |
