In a time when computer viruses are at their peek, it is always wise to have the best anti-virus programs for protection in place. It is also practical to practice working with these programs and know how to put any given anti-virus program into scan mode at any given time. We can have a computer loaded with the “top of the line” anti-virus software yet still be at risk of computer viruses if we do not know how to use the software fluently. There are also certain practices and precautions that we need to take on a daily basis. These precautionary measures may seem to take time and some may feel that they are going into “over-kill”. However for those who have had viruses, they will seem like rational precautions.
Recognizing a Virus:
For those who have never had a computer virus before and do not know what to look for here are some tips:
- Computer is slow to respond to basic commands
- System will not multitask or when multitasking it will shut down or a program or freeze up.
- Different programs open at random and are hard to close.
- Your computer shuts down by itself or goes into hibernate mode frequently when not prompted to.
- Specific programs will not respond (open up or run) anymore despite all of your efforts.
- Memory is being used up (you can tell in your Task Manager the amount of memory that is being used)
- Use the Task Manager to see if any unknown programs are running in the background, a virus is simply a script (a small program) written expressly to re-write itself causing havoc in the process.
- Constant freeze-ups of your system and pop-ups on the screen can also indicate the presence of an unwanted viral script. Trojan viruses are notorious for causing pop-ups that seem never-ending
- Internet is slow or will not connect at all
- Computer takes an extra long time to start-up and to shut down
Preventing Viruses:
- Avoid anonymous emails (especially those with attachments) and delete them or mark them as junk immediately
- Do not open any attachments without them being scanned for viruses first. It may be unintentional, but your friends and family can inadvertently send you a virus in a mail attachment that they sent to you.
- Avoid saving pictures from web pages in your documents folder. They could contain macro-viruses.
- Always have a good firewall to protect you computer that runs with a tried and proven virus scanner.
- Do not share floppy disks from someone else’s computer. If it is absolutely necessary for you to access a floppy that is not your own, scan it for viruses first.
- CD ROMs are safer than floppies but the programs contained on them can be virally infected. If it is not your disk, scan it and make sure it is virus free (this addresses burned CD’s that may contain a number of programs, not factory OEM CD’s)
- Use a Trojan specific scanner as well as your virus scanner. Some Trojan’s are your so-called “Back door” variety and slip passed some conventional virus scanners.
- Scan for viruses on a daily basis or set your scanner to do a virus scan at a time when you are not likely to be on the computer.
- Never stop a scan when it is in progress, just minimize the scanner or drag it off the screen.
- Never scan with two different virus scanners at the same time. It can cause a program conflict that may miss a virus, Trojan or a “worm” that is on your system. It can also give you a false reading because some files are tied up and are not read.
