Tips and recommendations for protecting your PC…

Most of us don’t make a real difference between worm, virus and Trajan Horse or refer to a worm or Trajan Horse as a virus.

All of us know all are malicious programs that can cause very serious damage to PC. Exist differences among the three, and knowing those differences can help you to better protect your computer from their often damaging effects.

A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Some viruses cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files. Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. A virus cannot be spread without a human action, (such as running an infected program) to keep it going. People continue the spread of a computer virus, mostly unknowingly, by sharing infecting files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail.

A worm is a program or algorithm that replicates itself. A worm has the capability to travel without any help from a person from PC to PC and have ability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect.

A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that “working” as a benign application ( (like changing your desktop, adding silly active desktop icons) or can cause serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on your system. Trojans are also known to create a back door on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, possibly allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised. Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate.

Added into the mix, we also have what is called a blended threat. Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities. By using multiple methods and techniques, blended threats can rapidly spread and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points, and exploits vulnerabilities. This combination of method and techniques means blended threats can spread quickly and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points and exploits vulnerabilities. They are considered to be the worst risk to security since the inception of viruses, as most blended threats require no human intervention to propagate.

Therefore is very important to protect your PC with a good anti-virus software installed on your system with the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the ability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You should also install a a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer (firewall as well). A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and usually provides additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms.

We have all heard the term Trojan Horse, but what exactly is it? A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that masquerades as a harmless application. Unlike viruses, Trojan Horses do not replicate themselves, but they can be just as destructive. One of the most dangerous examples of a Trojan is a program that promises to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses into your computer.

The Trojan can be tricky. Who hasn’t been online and had an advertisement pop up claiming to be able to rid your computer of some nasty virus? Or, even more frightening, you receive an email that claims to be alerting you to a new virus that can threaten your computer. The sender promises to quickly eradicate, or protect, your computer from viruses if you simply download their “free”, attached software into your computer. You may be skeptical but the software looks legitimate and the company sounds reputable. You proceed to take them up on their offer and download the software. In doing so, you have just potentially exposed yourself to a massive headache and your computer to a laundry list of ailments.

When a Trojan is activated, numerous things can happen. Some Trojans are more annoying than malicious. Some of the less annoying Trojans may choose to change your desktop settings or add silly desktop icons. The more serious Trojans can erase or overwrite data on your computer, corrupt files, spread other malware such as viruses, spy on the user of a computer and secretly report data like browsing habits to other people, log keystrokes to steal information such as passwords and credit card numbers, phish for bank account details (which can be used for criminal activities), and even install a backdoor into your computer system so that they can come and go as they please.

To increase your odds of not encountering a Trojan, follow these guidelines.

1. Remain diligent
Trojans can infect your computer through rogue websites, instant messaging, and emails with attachments. Do not download anything into your computer unless you are 100 percent sure of its sender or source.
2. Ensure that your operating system is always up-to-date. If you are running a Microsoft Windows operating system, this is essential.
3. Install reliable anti-virus software. It is also important that you download any updates frequently to catch all new Trojan Horses, viruses, and worms. Be sure that the anti-virus program that you choose can also scan e-mails and files downloaded through the internet.
4. Consider installing a firewall. A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer. A firewall is not going to eliminate your computer virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and reliable anti-virus software, it can provide additional security and protection for your computer.

Nothing can guarantee the security of your computer 100 percent. However, you can continue to improve your computer’s security and decrease the possibility of infection by consistently following these guidelines.

Whether you have actually discovered your lesson from a previous experience with an unpleasant computer system infection or have actually been pushing your luck by surfing the web and also downloading and install numerous documents or opening up those e-mail messages sent out to you by people you do not recognize without any type of actual understanding of just how prone you really are each time you log onto your computer system you currently have the possibility to uncover what actions you can require to prevent such a bothersome and numerous times devastating infestation.
Listed here are some of the standards you can adhere to in order to maintain those unpleasant infections from making a mess out of your computer system as well as your life.
– Acquisition and also install a well valued anti-virus software application program as well as make sure to establish it up to ensure that it immediately runs when the computer system begins up each time.
– Make sure to keep your antivirus software program approximately date by either using the automated update attribute that numerous included or make it a behavior to by hand inspect at the very least one or two times a week for updates by yourself.
– Set your antivirus program to check for potential viruses each time you open up a word-processing paper like the ones that get sent out with email. Viruses located in word-processing files are called Macro Infections.
– When acquiring software program make certain to only purchase from suppliers that are well understood and also from ones you trust.
– Resist switching information with the usage of saggy disks or various other mobile storage devices between various computers. If trading programs in between computers is unavoidable simply make certain to check the storage device(s) for viruses prior to moving information from one computer system to the following.
– If using floppies to move information ensure to style them prior to utilizing them for the initial time.
– Never ever use pirated software program. This is both unlawful as well as a great way to invite an unwanted computer infection.
– When downloading and install software program from the internet do so just possible. There are numerous neat programs available on the net, yet however there are lots of viruses that accompany them likewise.
– If you need to download programs from the web ALWAYS scan them for infections PRIOR TO opening them as much as set up on your computer.
– Probably the most vital and ignored approach of catastrophe recuperation are periodic back-ups of very important files found on your computer. Needs to a virus occur to get through your lines of protection you may need to replace the virus damaged documents with fresh ones that have been maintained for such an occasion.
Lastly, it is not assured that if you adhere to the above actions that you will certainly not be the victim of a computer system infection, but you can certainty that if followed you will substantially reduce the possibility of being an unsuspecting recipient of such an undesirable program.