If your computer gets a virus..
The first problem is diagnosis:
 | Most virus writers seek attention so will often tell you just before they
inflict damage. So watch out for strange messages. |
| If your machine slows down dramatically it is probably caused by a
background process. It is very unlikely to be a virus but it is a symptom.
|
| If you find your computer cannot be disconnected from the net or won't
turn off, you have probably been taken over but check by using the
ctrl-alt-del sequence to see there is not another stuck process. |
| People on your email might tell you that you are sending infected emails
but even this is not to be trusted. |
| Your machine is sending vast amounts of data that you are not generating. |
| The only way to see if your computer is infected is to run one of
the trusted virus scanners. All the key players offer
find and fix patches free. |
Not all damage is caused by viruses: Other possible causes to check
| Worn out or damaged drives. |
| Poorly written programs which can lose your data. |
| So can sharing the machine with the family or colleagues! |
If you suspect a problem:
- Disconnect your system from the Internet while you carry out further
tests. This will stop your computer being exploited. Impose e-mail silence on
yourself until the investigation is complete.
- If a virus is in the memory it
can prevent anti-virus programs from working correctly. So close down and turn off your computer and
reboot from a system disk-Your
operating system will have invited you to make a system disks for just such an
eventuality.
- Use an
anti-virus program to identify and remove the virus yourself. There really is no
other way to find and eliminate them. Follow the instructions carefully - Most
boot up the computer in case the operating system itself has been infected.
- Ask around to see if anyone else has been infected, as this might identify
the source. If you can identify the origin you can make sure it does not
re-infect you.
- In exceptional circumstances it might make sense to reformat your hard
drive. There is anecdotal 'evidence' that some worms might leave traces. This
is why it makes sense to keep a 'ghost' or some other backup of your data and
settings.
Types of computer viruses
There are several types of computer infection. They are spread in a
different ways.
| Macros |
These are a special type of program spread by document files such as MS-Word or MS-Excel
which can infect other document you create and spread when you share these
with colleagues.
| Boot Sector |
These viruses used to be spread by sharing diskettes even if it is not a
bootable, system diskette. So be careful when sharing disks at college or among
friends. However, virus programs can infect the special, reserved boot-sector so you can
become a 'carrier'.
| Program |
These viruses are normally spread over the web. They normally exploit a
weakness in software to download themselves, after which they run and do
their damage. The complexity and diversity of infective strategies means that
vigilance is the only way to stay virus free.
| Hoax |
These are not real virus programs. They are email
messages sent to warn others about an alleged threat. Hoax warnings can cause huge amounts of Internet traffic and unnecessary
worry to others and, occasionally, self-inflicted damage to the unwary.
What's a hoax?
How about a Trojan? Watch out for worms
Identity theft
Checking email source
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