Is your computer acting strange? Think your computer might be infected with a virus? Ready to throw your computer out the window? Don't get rid of your computer just yet. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to detect, remove, and prevent your computer from being infected with a virus.
A computer virus can do a great deal of harm to your computer. This malicious software can do everything from erasing your computers hard drive to installing monitoring software, such as a keystroke logger, to record every keystroke typed on your computer. This could ultimately lead you to becoming a victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.
Many viruses even use your computer as a platform to send viruses to other people. For example, a person infected with a virus could be unknowingly sending a virus to everyone they email. Or that cute little joke that you forwarded to all your friends could be infected with a nasty virus.
How To Detect & Remove A Virus
To be certain that your computer is indeed infected with a virus, you need to install anti-virus software. Be sure to remember that anti-virus software is only as good as the last update. This is because new viruses and other malware are created every day. Internet security companies are constantly playing a cat and mouse game to detect the newest viruses and other malicious software. Don't have anti-virus software installed on your computer? It is good to know that there is free anti-virus software available for download on the Internet. You can also do a free online virus scan to help you detect any viruses installed on your computer.
Most anti-virus software will automatically remove any viruses or other malware that it finds. However, if you are infected with a virus that cannot be removed by anti-virus software software there are free virus removal tools available online to remove viruses.
How To Prevent Becoming Infected With A Virus
Like human viruses an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure when it comes to preventing having your computer being infected with a virus or other malicious software. It is good to know that there are some simple steps you can take to prevent having your PC infected with a virus, spyware, or even a Trojan Horse.
1. Avoid using file sharing programs such as Kazaa, Bearshare, and Limewire. These programs allow you access to millions of other computer users files, such as games, music, and other files. Unfortunately, that free game or MP3 music file you just downloaded could very well contain a virus or other malicious software.
2. Next, avoid opening an email attachment from someone you don't know. In fact, don't even open an email attachment from someone you know, unless you know specifically what the attachment is. Your friend sending you that "cute little joke" might not be as internet security savvy as you are. That email attachment might contain more than you bargained for, being bundled with a computer virus or other malware.
3. Be sure to keep your operating system up to date. Enable Windows Updates to download and install the newest updates automatically. To configure Windows Vista to install updates automatically, click the Start button, followed by All Programs, Windows Update, and Change settings. Now, select Install Updates Automatically. Use the drop down menu below to select the time and date to install new updates. Finally, click on the OK icon.
4. Use an alternative web browser to Internet Explorer such as Firefox or Opera. I personally use Firefox for the majority of my web browsing. Even if alternative web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, have security flaws, hackers are more likely to go after the "big fish" and attack Internet Explorer. This is because the majority of Internet users still use Internet Explorer to surf the Net. In fact, an independent study shows that, in 2006, IE users were vulnerable to online threats a massive 78% of the time. Firefox users? Only 2%.
5. Install firewall software, some of which can be downloaded for free online. Windows Vista and XP is actually bundled with a firewall. Just be sure to ensure that the Windows firewall is on.
6. Finally, as I mentioned earlier, it is crucial to have anti-virus software installed on your computer. You might be happy to hear that there is free anti-virus software available to download online. Just be sure to keep it up to date.
When it comes to internet security an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure. Isn't it good to know that there are some basic steps you can take to help prevent having your computer infected with a virus and other malicious software? However, if your computer has been infected with a virus or other malware, it is reassuring to know that there are free internet security software and tools available to detect and remove them.
Visit my Free Internet Security & Privacy Software page for free firewalls, antivirus, anti-spyware and other free internet security and privacy software. Chris Hecker is the webmaster of Internet Security 101. This site contains free info, links, articles, and tutorials on Internet security and privacy.
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