About viruses

viruses are mini programs that infect your computer, they are very dangerous and each one is just as deadly as another.

it is important to have at least two virus scanners, ie:

· Norton- Symantec

· Malware-bytes

it can be important to have two scanners just in case a virus manages to hide itself from one. but be careful some free virus scanners from the internet might be a trap and copy a virus over with it.

Malware-bites is free but very safe, they are a big name and should be trusted. don't confuse it with malware.

What do viruses do?

most viruses will try and take over your computer and send all your details including: bank details, passwords and personal information to another computer.

some viruses can take over programs in windows, I had one recently. it turned of the fire wall and downloaded a program to replace windows security panel, then gave me a load of popups saying I had viruses and spyware. it told me to register, witch YOU DEFINATLY DONT DO! this is a way of taking all of your money!

Whats Spyware?

spyware will look into all of your files and take what it wants like bank details, without you knowing. some are able to access your webcam and see you without you seeing them.

What are worms?

worms are people with hacking capabilities, then hack your computer themselves and take or kill your machine.

Some people will try and persuade you to give your details to them. I received a email not long ago saying I have a new member from ione.org when I had a look on it, it said I could buy the domain for £3 a month. you should never give details to people you don't know or never heard of.

How could I of got a virus?

1. Viruses can come in many ways, some come through email. people who send these are very bad! as soon as you open it your mail client will download it of the server ready in a cache, allowing the virus straight into your computer. so if you find anything suspicious like "you've won a £1000" don't click on it! (this is called Phishing) also look for spelling mistakes in the letter, this may mean someone from another country wants your computer.

2. You can get a virus just by clicking on a web page, and immediately infect your computer.

3. Downloading some thing from a website you don't really know well, is probably the most common way of getting a virus. if you download something you should virus scan it, if it is infected you should shift delete it, not just delete because it will go to the recycling bin still on the machine.

HOW DO I RID A VIRUS??

there are few ways, first of all unplug the internet and close all the programs open. make sure your the only one logged on.

perform a virus scan of the whole machine.

once its done and you can see the infected items click "Delete all infections" the scanner will quarantine it (move the file somewhere it cant get out of, like a jail) and delete it there. if it cant do that you must use your second scanner to rid it. if this still does not work contact your computer admin or a guy who fixes these things (via telephone is best). he/she may charge you but its better than having to buy a whole new computer.

MY SCANNER CANT FIND THE VIRUS!!

make sure you are updated with the latest version, if not go onto there website using another computer (not infected) download the virus anecdotes and put it onto a floppy or a usb stick, put them into the infected computer and place the new files in the anecdote directory.

Warning! the floppy/usb stick may now be infected so don't use it in another computer till its clean.

rescan and delete it.

Remember the people who create these viruses are very clever and know most ways you can get rid of them.

if you must disconnect from the internet and wish to keep this info download a .txt here