The information below explains what a virus is and how it affects you. In addition, there are tips and tools for avoiding, detecting, and eliminating viruses.
Computer Virus Types
There are three main types of computer viruses.
- Viruses are programs that attempt to cripple your computer by infecting critical files and spreading to others. It might change files or perform unwanted functions such as erasing your hard drive.
- Trojan Horses leave your computer accessible for other people to use. After a Trojan Horse installs, it may bounce through your machine as a way to cover its tracks and do other damage. A Trojan Horse gives hackers access to any information stored on your hard drive, enabling them to read your files and personal information or to use your computer to store data, send email, and more.
- Worms travel from system to system, gather information, and then send it on, while also doing collateral damage along the way.
Ways to Protect from Viruses
Viruses are designed not only to infect you, but also to spread themselves. Some viruses read your email address book and then email themselves to every listed contact. Other viruses attach themselves to every outgoing email. Below are a few simple steps to help avoid receiving a virus.
- Do not open an email attachment if the sender is unknown, or if the message text or attachment name seems odd.
- Scan all attachments and files you receive with an up-to-date anti-virus program.
- There are many anti-virus programs available, both free and for purchase. The following are a few examples of software that can remove infections.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner is a scan tool designed to find and remove malware from Windows computers.
- Norton Power Eraser is useful if your computer has become a victim of crimeware that regular virus scans cannot detect.
- For Windows computers, Microsoft Defender Online is offline scanning tool that runs without starting the operating system.
- Do not download files from unfamiliar sites or sites that appear questionable.
If your computer becomes infected with a virus, every click could spread the infected program. Immediately update your anti-virus software, and run a full virus scan on your computer. If your virus scanning software is properly updated it should remove the infected files.
