Viruses
A virus is a piece of harmful software which can edit copy and delete files. It reproduces by infecting other files and copying itself. Most viruses are attached to an executable file (.exe) and are activated when the executable is run. They can harm your system by taking up all your hard drive by making copies of itself and destroying files.
Virus protection software companies protect your computer by finding solutions to reported viruses, they also analyse new software and determine whether it can be trusted. For example Norton Symantec determines how
safe a piece of software is by seeing how recently it was released, how many
users have interacted with the software and how much information they have
about the software.
Virus protection software companies protect your computer by finding solutions to reported viruses, they also analyse new software and determine whether it can be trusted. For example Norton Symantec determines how
safe a piece of software is by seeing how recently it was released, how many
users have interacted with the software and how much information they have
about the software.
Trojans
A Trojan is a piece of harmful software, usually disguised as a program. They at first seem harmless to run and install on your computer, however in the background without you realising it can copy and delete files, change computer settings, and delete registry.
They can also open a “backdoor” to your computer which allows malicious users to access information and files on your computer. Unlike virus and worms, they do not reproduce by infecting other files or by replicating themselves. This can make them very hard to find or notice.
You can avoid these by buying software in stores or installing software from official and trusted websites. You can also avoid this by buying antivirus software in store and keep it up to date and run regular scheduled virus scans. Examples of trusted anti-virus software: Norton, McAfee, AVG, Bulldog. Most operating systems will have some basic virus protection. For example: Windows 7 Home Premium has Windows Defence and Windows Firewall pre-installed; it is important to update your computer, so that it will know any new viruses.
When a virus protection program, for example: Norton Symantec 360 discovers a Trojan it will quarantine it, delete it and keep a record of the virus which it will send to the software developers, so that it can be reported and dealt with.
They can also open a “backdoor” to your computer which allows malicious users to access information and files on your computer. Unlike virus and worms, they do not reproduce by infecting other files or by replicating themselves. This can make them very hard to find or notice.
You can avoid these by buying software in stores or installing software from official and trusted websites. You can also avoid this by buying antivirus software in store and keep it up to date and run regular scheduled virus scans. Examples of trusted anti-virus software: Norton, McAfee, AVG, Bulldog. Most operating systems will have some basic virus protection. For example: Windows 7 Home Premium has Windows Defence and Windows Firewall pre-installed; it is important to update your computer, so that it will know any new viruses.
When a virus protection program, for example: Norton Symantec 360 discovers a Trojan it will quarantine it, delete it and keep a record of the virus which it will send to the software developers, so that it can be reported and dealt with.
Spyware
Spyware can record data, for example keystrokes to find out passwords and personal data etc. these can often be combined with viruses to create an even more harmful software. For example if a Trojan was combined with spyware then it could allow a malicious user to find out passwords. For example
if you did online banking then they could have their passwords stolen and they would have excessive amounts of money withdraw from their account.
You can avoid this installing and updating virus protection software.
Spyware can record data, for example keystrokes to find out passwords and personal data etc. these can often be combined with viruses to create an even more harmful software. For example if a Trojan was combined with spyware then it could allow a malicious user to find out passwords. For example
if you did online banking then they could have their passwords stolen and they would have excessive amounts of money withdraw from their account.
You can avoid this installing and updating virus protection software.