| Whether we use computer for simple functions such | | | | usually disguises itself as a common file (maybe an |
| as typing our homework and business reports, up to | | | | .mp3 music file or a .jpeg picture file) but does the |
| more important acts like online business meetings and | | | | damage when the computer user opens it. This is why |
| transactions, one cannot deny that computers are a | | | | you should take extra care when opening a suspicious |
| big part in our daily lives. | | | | looking file : it could very well be a Trojan horse. |
| Using a computer, particularly the Internet, is one task | | | | Worms are self reproducing programs that mainly use |
| that even a ten year old can do at this particular period | | | | security holes in order to spread itself throughout the |
| in time. | | | | network. If your computer is infected with a worm and |
| With the growing increase of popularity and reliance on | | | | is able to replicate itself a number of times, this usually |
| computers, as well as the demand for it, security risks | | | | causes your computer to slow down noticeably since |
| have also gone up, which is a reality that cannot be | | | | it uses your computer resources and memory to do |
| ignored. With the billions of information bits being | | | | so. They often use security flaws in operating |
| spread across the World Wide Web, hackers and | | | | systems (such as Windows) in order to self |
| computer intruders (criminals) see the value in focusing | | | | reproduce. |
| their attention to computers and the Internet. The | | | | Email viruses are self explanatory : they spread via |
| information they would retrieve here is (more often | | | | email. Once a user opens the infected email, what it |
| than not) more useful than when doing it the | | | | usually does is send itself to other computer users via |
| old-fashioned way. | | | | the email addresses found in the user's address book. |
| As such, these intruders have devised some methods | | | | Because it uses email and a lot of people open emails |
| into getting information out of computer users, with or | | | | without really checking or being careful, it spreads very |
| without these people knowing that they've been | | | | quickly across the entire world and can cause chaos |
| hacked into. As is the case in real life, there are some | | | | within just a few days. |
| computer programs that are disguised to be innocent, | | | | Logic bombs are viruses that target specific computer |
| but actually act as spies, providing information to the | | | | applications, causing them to crash (for example, |
| intruders. These malicious programs which are security | | | | Windows). This can also be spread via email |
| threats are called computer viruses. | | | | attachments or by innocently downloading it off the |
| Computer viruses should not be taken lightly. They | | | | Internet. It can cause a great deal of harm (particularly |
| work in many different ways; one of them may be to | | | | if it infects Windows and the like), or just a small |
| provide data to the one who planted the virus. Other | | | | amount (small program). |
| viruses can simply be annoying - slowing down your | | | | Fortunately for computer users, there are anti-virus |
| computer, building unwanted files, etc. ; while some can | | | | programs available anywhere, whether in the Internet |
| be very disruptive, such as deleting your hard drive, | | | | or at the computer shop. These programs specifically |
| compromising your operating system, etc. | | | | target over thousands of viruses and wipe them clean |
| As such, there are different types of viruses which | | | | from your system (if infected) or protect you from |
| normally differ in how they function and how they are | | | | incoming attacks (if not yet infected). |
| spread. Examples of these include Trojan horses, | | | | Anti-virus programs are constantly updated (normally |
| worms, email viruses, and logic bombs. It would be | | | | everyday) since there are always new virus definitions |
| important for you to know these kinds of viruses in | | | | each day, and you can get infected by these new |
| order to better protect you from them, as well as to | | | | viruses. These software developers are always |
| have the proper programs to get rid of them. | | | | researching about the newest viruses to ensure you, |
| Trojan horses are simply computer program that | | | | the user, are protected from these viruses as much |
| cannot reproduce themselves, but can do damage | | | | as possible. Your PC security and safety are always |
| anywhere from minimal to extremely dangerous. It | | | | being considered. |