Virus

A virus is nothing more than a malicious code of programming, and thus can do everything that a computer program can do. In order to survive and propagate, a virus needs computing power and memory. This means a virus can only survive in a computer system or systems such as a network.

Viruses are mainly found in softwares, programs, screensavers and data files such as MS Word documents and MS Excel spreadsheets.

How it Attacks?

Users need to understand how a virus attacks. This would give an inside look into a virus' "mind'' and points out the weaknesses that allow viruses to get into our computer systems and wreak havoc with our files and data. Users should note that virus attacks silently and without realistaion of the user. Once in, they replicate and infect other files, changing them in the process.

A virus might carry a "payload'' which is released by the virus upon a ``triggering'' event and also determines the extent of the damage the virus does. An example is the Chernobyl virus which struck on April 26, 1999 had a payload that erased the contents of the master boot record on the hard disk, effectively destroying all data on it. Remember, there are about 46,000 known viruses which is increasing at the rate of about 200 viruses per month.

Users usually do not suspect that files they're getting could carry viruses. Thus it is important to check all files you receive.

How the Virus Enters Into The System?

A virus enters into a system through a vector which determines the entry-points of viruses into a computer system, and to a certain degree and also what precautions can be taken to guard against them.

Floppy diskettes, Internet, e-mail attachments, CD-ROMs or any other form of data storage device like a hard disk, Zip disk, Jazz disk, and so on. are one form of vector for virus to sneak into your system.

How the Virus Infects the System?

A virus enters and spreads into the computer system only when the infected program, file or disk is run/executed. Thus early detection should be done to avoid any loss of data. Another way of infection is through diskettes infected with the boot sector virus. These viruses occupy the boot sector of diskettes which contains a small program that tells the computer the location of the operating system to load to.

A user might leave an infected diskette and swith off the computer which allows the computer to read the boot sector of the diskette in the drive and loads the boot sector virus into the memory when the user switch on his computer the next day. Usually, a boot sector virus will infect each and every diskette accessed by the system, thus propagating itself further.

How to Protect your System from Virus.

1. Get an efficient anti-virus software installed in your PC, i.e McAfee AntiVirus, Norton AntiVirus.
   • upgrade your anti-virus software regulalrly of their virus data files
   • create a bootable anti-virus scan disk
   • configure your anti-virus product properly
2. Scan your PC regularly
3. Take note of virus warnings
4. Backup regularly

Below are some links that provide detail information and verification about Internet virus. Please regularly check the below sites whenever you receive a virus alert.

• Antivirus sites
• Hoax database sites