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| Prvent Computer Virus, Spyware, and Malware infections | In this article, we will discuss how to keep your computer safe from infecting viruses, that you can use to prevent or remove these malicious software. The most dangerous malicious software is virus, spyware being most commonly computer infected malware.
What is virus?
The simple definition of Virus is; a piece of software developed to cause problem for your computer and other computers communicating with your computer. Virus can destroy your operating system, delete files or data from your hard drive, or cause your computer to misbehave. Virus can make your computer to misbehave such a ways; freeze, shot down or restart automatically, keyboard keys mismatch, screen display change, browser hijacking or redirection, playing unusual sounds or displaying system errors.
Why people develop viruses
Programmers who develop virus have varied motives. Some programmers develop virus simply to test their skills and see what they can do in mischievous way. Others would target specific company, corporate, or institution for reprisal, competition, or political reasons. Spyware and other adware programs are normally developed for commercial, information gathering, and stealing purposes. Whatever the reason is, the concern is how to prevent these harmful malwares from infecting your system.
What can I do to prevent computer viruses
The most important thing is to install a quality anti-virus program. Installing anti-virus is not the complete solution of preventing viruses from getting into your system. You will also have to update the anti-virus continuously and stay away from programs and websites that could infect your computer with viruses.
To minimize the risk of viruses and worms, follow these guidelines all the time
- Install, enable, and auto update quality anti-virus program
- Install, enable, and auto update quality anti-spyware program
- Never accept a unknown download request or online dialog box when surfing the net
- Never open an email attachment unless you know the content and the sender
- Never download an executable program unless you know the program
- Stay away from websites that have large pop-ups or slows down your computer
- If your system freezes on a website you never visit before, end-task right away and exit
Top notch quality anti-virus programs
There are a lot of anti-virus programs available in the market. Some of the most outstanding
Well-known quality anti-virus programs are;
Norton Anti-virus, and McAfee.
AVG, which provides free version, is also gaining popularity nowadays.
Avast, which provides free version, is popular anti-viurs.
What is Spyware or Adware?
As we previously mentioned, spywares are developed to gather information about your
browsing habits for the purpose of displaying commercial ads related to your Internet activities. Spyware can be lethal as it can overflow your system with unwanted advertisements or can be friendly program installed with your permission. Lethal spywares or as we call it malwares can hijack your browser completely or redirect your browser to where they want it to go instead of where
you intended it to go. Some friendly spyware programs are google, yahoo, msn, and similar tool bars. Some spyware program can run in the background without your knowledge. If you notice unusual system or connection slowdown or extra hard drive spin, there is possibility of spywares running in the
background.
What can I do to prevent spyware and adware programs
The two most important things are to update your operating system
continuously and to install anti-adware or spyware program.
Similar to anti-virus, anti-spyware also requires continues updates.
To minimize the risk of spyware and malware, follow these guidelines all the time
- Update your operating system continuously. You can setup auto update for your windows
- Install, enable, and auto update quality anti-spyware program
- Never accept a unknown download request or online dialog box when surfing the net
- Never open an email attachment unless know the content and the sender
- Never download an executable program unless you know the program
- Stay away from websites that have large pop-ups or slows down your computer
- If your system freezes on a website you never visit before, end-task right away and exit
- Watch out extra programs when installing commercial and freeware programs. Do not accept extra browser tools as they are adware
| | Publisher: pctalknet.com | Published Date: 2009-03-24 |  Rate This Article | | | |
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Somali