1,837,581 VIRSUS SO FAR FOR
2004 – AND COUNTING
Thursday
September 30th, 2004
We all
wish that our investments had the monthly
increases we are experiencing with
computer viruses. Today 'virus' is
a term well-known to every computer user,
and many people who have never used a
computer. Even television reports and
newspapers contain details of the latest
virus epidemics. In fact, virus is a
generic term, covering many different
types of malicious program: classic
viruses, Internet and email worms,
Trojans, backdoors, and others.
Viruses are harmful
Whatever its form, a virus is programmed
to spread throughout computers and
networks by copying itself, almost always
unnoticed by the user. The virus payload,
or effect, can be annoying, harmful, or
even criminal. A virus may be programmed
simply to display a humorous message on
screen, or to erase all files on the
computer, or to steal and distribute
confidential data.
Cyber-hysteria?
The first viruses appeared at the end of
the 1960s, or the beginning of the 1970s:
opinions are divided. Their effect was
relatively limited, for the simple reason
that the number of computer users was much
smaller than it is today. The increased
use of computer technology has led to
virus scares becoming an almost everyday
occurrence. Some scares are hoaxes.
However, real mass attacks have become
commonplace, and the consequences are
serious, resulting in financial loss for
individuals and corporations alike.
Viruses, Worms and Trojan
horses are all ways your computer is
subjected to attack, leaving your
computer running slow, to stop responding
or crash and restart every few minutes. A
virus will also attack the files you need
to start up your computer and leave your
staring at a blank screen. Here are a
few tips to help you prevent infection:
-
Get computer updates and install
security patches provided by your
operating system vendor
-
Protect yourself with up to date
Anti-Virus Software
-
Never open attachments you are not
expecting
-
Scan all new files before opening them
-
Scan you computer on a regular basis
-
Back-up important files on a regular
basis
-
Call PC On Call to help with all of
these and many more
Mydoom worms have
caused more than $850 million worth
economic damages worldwide in just the
first 24 hours, according to mi2g, a
security analyst company based in London.
Both Microsoft and SCO Group have offered
$250,000 rewards for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of the people
who wrote the worms, but most experts see
little chance the money will lead to an
arrest.
The number of threats and frequency and
speed of attacks is increasing every day.
AntiVirus Protection is therefore a
priority for anyone who uses a computer.
Are you safe from Virsues, Worm and Trojan
horses? See our R-U-Safe October special
to help you clean your system from viruses
and protect you and other users from
future infections. |
