This document discusses computer viruses and how to prevent them. It defines what a computer virus is and notes that they often affect Microsoft Windows systems. It provides tips on how to avoid viruses such as screening emails before downloading, using updated antivirus software, and disabling email preview on Windows. It also discusses the types of viruses, signs of an infected computer, and popular antivirus software options.

1. Complied by KAYODE

3. A computer virus(Malware)
or worm is a self-replicating
program that can spread by
email or by inserting copies
of itself into other programs
or documents.

4. Virus epidemics mostly
infect Microsoft Windows
systems due to their
popularity

5. how to avoid them
Don’t download all your email to an emailDon’t download all your email to an email
client unseen. Screen your email first,client unseen. Screen your email first,
and delete suspicious-looking andand delete suspicious-looking and
unwanted messages before downloadingunwanted messages before downloading
the legitimate email to your local emailthe legitimate email to your local email
clientclient

6. Make sure your computer has
updated anti-virus software
running on it. Automatic updates are
essential for effective virus protection.
Combined with server side scanning,
you now have two layers of security.

7. Disable message preview in your
email client, especially on Windows
platforms. Otherwise, malicious
programs attached to incoming
messages may execute automatically
and infect your computer.

8. Take caution when opening
graphics and media
attachments, as viruses can be
disguised as such files.
Maintain several independent email
accounts. If a virus infects your only
business email address, you’ll be in
trouble. Also, keep backups of your
most important email and files
separately.

10. Virus-makers and spammers often cooperate
in devious schemes to send as much spam as
possible as efficiently as possible. They create
viruses that infect vulnerable computers
around the world and turn them into spam-
generating “robots“. The infected computers
then send massive amounts of spam,
unbeknownst to the computer owner.

11. There are various types of
computer viruses designed by
who? to do one thing...
Cause havoc on your computer
and you.

12. Trojan Horse
Spyware
Adware
Worms
Boot sector Viruses
Time bombs
Boot Sector Virus
Browser Hijacker
File Infector Virus
Polymorphic Virus
Macro Virus
Web Scripting Virus

14. Believe it or not, a lot of viruses are
written to target Microsoft software.
Viruses writers know the majority of
users use Windows as their Operating
system and Internet Explorer as their
web browser. One easy way to reduce
your chances of picking up a virus is to run
a Linux operating system and use a web
browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google
Chrome.

15. A program written to deliver a malicious
program that may then cause destruction
to your computer. A Trojan horse is
delivered by someone or hidden within
another program that may seem
harmless.

16. A program written to monitor your actions on a
computer. A common type of spyware is a key-
logger program. This program can record every key
stroke and mouse click you make. Spyware can be
delivered via a Trojan horse program. Some
spyware is not meant to be malicious, such as
tracking cookies. A tracking cookie tracks your
internet usage and sends the information back to its
source.

17. Adware is a form of malware. One word
- pop-ups. Adware is designed to pop
up advertisements. Adware can be very
annoying.

18. Just a nasty little program to cause
slowness in a network. A worm will
replicate itself and spread from computer
to computer. Worms are commonly
spread through email attachments.

19. Not so common anymore, but they
were nasty little programs that got
loaded into your master boot
record. Most commonly spread by
floppy disks. These viruses could
then launch themselves before
your operating system even
loaded. Today most BIOS
prevents code from being written
to the boot sector.

20. A virus written to execute at a later date
or upon an action performed. These
programs lay dormant until an event
occurs.
Browser Hijacker
A virus that will over take your web
browser and automatically redirect you to
another website.

21. A virus that lives within a file, typically
a .exe file. When the file is executed, it
will then run its nasty code.
Polymorphic Virus
A virus written to change itself in order
to evade virus detection.

22. A virus that hides itself inside of macros used
by programs such as Microsoft Excel.
Web Scripting Virus
A virus that hides within a website. Some
are put there on purpose, some get injected
into websites that are not properly secured.

23. Signs of an infected computer can be
numerous depending on which virus your
computer is infected with.
Common signs are:
Computer running very slow
Numerous pop-ups
Hard Drive filling up
Applications launching by themselves
CD/DVD drive opening and closing by itself
Computer freezing and crashing

24. Anti-virus software is a program
or set of programs that are
designed to prevent, search for,
detect, and remove software
viruses, and other malicious
software like worms, trojans,
adware, and more.

25. These tools are critical for users to
have installed and up-to-date because
a computer without anti-virus
software installed will be infected
within minutes of connecting to the
internet. The bombardment is
constant, with anti-virus companies
update their detection tools constantly
to deal with the more than 60,000
new pieces of malware created daily.

26. There are several different companies that build
and offer anti-virus software and what each
offers can vary but all perform some basic
functions:
Scan specific files or directories for any malware or
known malicious patterns
Allow you to schedule scans to automatically run for
you
Allow you to initiate a scan of a specific file or of
your computer, or of a CD or flash drive at any time.
Remove any malicious code detected –sometimes
you will be notified of an infection and asked if you
want to clean the file, other programs will
automatically do this behind the scenes.
Show you the ‘health’ of your computer

29. Cyber Defender [ P ]
Protector Plus [ P ]
G Data Antivirus [ P ]
Max Secure Antivirus [ P ]
ClamWin [ F ]
Spyware Doctor [ F ]
Outpost Antivirus [ P ]
Zone Alarm Antivirus [ P ]
BitDefender Antivirus [ P ]
McAfee Antivirus [ P ]
Tizer Secure [ P ]
Vipre Antivirus [ P ]
Vba32 antivirus [ p ]
Quick heal antivirus [ p ]
Rising antivirus [ b ]
Kingsoft antivirus [ b ]
Vexira antivirus [ p ]
Arcavir antivirus [ p ]
Nprotect antivirus [ p ]
Virobot antivirus [ p ]
Antiy antivirus [ p ]
System shield antivirus [ p ]
Csam antivirus [ p ]
Blue point security [ p ]
Microsoft security essentials [ f ]
Net protector antivirus [ p ]
Eacceleration antivirus [ p ]
Zillya! Antivirus [ b ]
Paretologic antivirus plus [ p ]
Blink personal [ p ]
Drive sentry [ p ]
P = Paid Antivirus
F = Free Antivirus
B = Paid and Free both
Available

30. Avira Antivirus [ B ]
Avast Antivirus [ B ]
AVG Antivirus [ B ]
Immunet Protect [ B ]
Emsisoft Antimalware [ B ] free
version has no Real time Protection
Digital Patrol [ P ]
K7 Antivirus [ P ]
eScan Antivirus [ P ]
Comodo Antivirus [ P ]
Dr.Web Antivirus [ P ]
Digital Defender Antivirus [ P ]

31. Kaspersky Antivirus often treated as the best
available Antivirus application and has a special
version for file servers. It covers almost all sections
needed for a top class security. Kaspersky provides
hourly virus definition update to keep you up-to-date.

32. BitDefender is one of the best antivirus with
top class defending ability. It provides hourly
definition updates for latest threats.
BitDefender comes with P2P File Sharing and
Registry Startup Protection but lacks Email
scanning.

33. Trend Micro is a well-known and popular
antivirus with Spyware and Adware
Protection. It has some great features
including Remote File Lock that safeguards
your private files in case your laptop is lost
or stolen. But lacks P2P File Sharing and
Registry Startup Scanning.

34. Norton Antivirus is one of the most popular and
well-known antivirus application. The latest version
has the ability to map your wireless home network
and safeguards your wi-fi networks. Recently
Norton has introduced a special version for gaming
PCs known as Norton 2009 Gaming Edition. It
comes with daily virus definition update but no
support for P2P File Sharing and Registry Startup
Protection.

35. McAfee is one of the leading antivirus in
security industry. McAfee introduced 2
features ScriptStopper and WormStopper.
But it has no support for P2P File Sharing,
Instant Messenger and Registry Startup. The
inbuilt updater updates virus definitions on a
regular basis to keep your up-to-date.

36. Panda Antivirus comes with a new feature call
UltraFast scan engine that scan almost 30%
faster compared to other antivirus applications.
It has few unique features as follows
Identity protection through Anti-Phishing Filter
and Anti-Banking Trojans Engine
Panda Antivirus has an advanced heuristic
scan which maximum possible identity theft
Inbuilt Personal Firewall