COMMON COMPUTERS VIRUSES/MALWARE THAT MOSTLY ATTACK COMPUTERS AND HOW TO FIX THEM

Common questions that many people may ask themselves about computer virus or malware

 What is computer virus and malware?

What are types or common viruses/malware that attack computers?

What are the Characteristics or features of computer viruses /malware

How they spread in computers?           

What are actions to prevent computer virus?

What is computer virus?

Computer virus refers to a computer program which damages computer systems and may destroy or erases data files.

Malware or Malicious software are any software program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network or server. 

These two words, computer virus and malware are used interchangeably as the same meaning

Therefore Computer virus is a type of malicious software or malware that spreads between computers and causes damage to data and software. Computer virus aim to disrupt systems and result into data loss and leakage.

The following are the common types of computer viruses

 1. Time Bomb.

2. Spyware.

3. Worm virus 

4. Adware.

5. Boot Sector Virus

6. Macro Virus.

7. Web Scripting Virus

8. Browser Hijacker           

9. Trojan Horse.

 Time Bomb 

 Is a part of a computer program that has been written so that it will start or stop functioning          after a predetermined date or time is reached. These programs lay dormant until an event occurs.

Spyware 

 Is a type of program that is installed with or without your permission on your personal computers to collect information about users, their computer or browsing habits tracks each and everything that you do without your knowledge and send it to a remote user. It is a malicious software designed to spies to a personal’s computer and steals sensitive information.

Symptoms of spyware can be like

*Your computer suddenly seems very slow when opening programs or processing tasks.

*Unexpected advertising messages or pop-up windows

*Batteries becoming depleted more quickly than usual

*You are redirected to web sites other than the one you typed into your browser.

Worm Virus

Is a malware that reproduces itself and spreads over network connections. It uses a computer network to spread itself.

 Adware 

Is a software application in which advertising banners are displayed while any program is running. Adware can automatically get downloaded to your system while browsing any website and can be viewed through a bar that appears on a computer screen automatically. Adware are used by companies for marketing purpose. 

Boot Sector Virus Is a malware that infects the computer storage where startup files are found. The boot sector contains all the files required for operating system and other bootable programs. During system boot, boot sector virus is loaded into main memory and destroys data stored in hard disk. This means a system’s boot partition or the Master Boot Record (MBR) of a hard disk is infected.

Macro Virus 

Macro virus is associated with application software like word and excel. 

When opening the infected document, macro virus is loaded into main memory and destroys the data stored in hard disk. 

It can infect any kind of operating system (OS) including windows, macOS and Linux. 

Macro viruses typically infect documents, spreadsheets, or presentations that contain macro code. when a user open the infected file and enables macros, the virus code is executed and can spread to other computers through shared files or email attachments. This virus is harmful since it may lead deleting data or files, corrupting data, or installing other malware on the infected system.

Script Virus (Web Scripting Virus)

These are virus or threats that hide within a website. They affect device and web browser’s security, they spread through infected web pages when a user visits an infected website and usually comes from webpage advertisements and then spread to computers user.

 These viruses rely on scripting languages such as JavaScript to execute their malicious code. They can perform actions like stealing sensitive information, spreading to other computer/web servers or launching other type of attacks.

Example of Web script viruses are drive-by-downloads, cross-site scripting (XSS) attack and malicious JavaScript embedded in a web page.

Browser Hijacker

It is also called a browser redirect virus. Is a type of malicious software that alters the setting of a web browser without the user’s permission or knowledge. It mostly affects web browsers like Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox, internet explorer or Safari. This can be spread through malicious websites, infected email attachments, and fake software updates or downloads

 Trojan Horse.

Is a destructive program, it usually pretends as computer games or application software, and if executed computer system will be damaged. It is a program seems to be harmless but when installed in computers result into destructive.

What are the Characteristics or features of computer viruses /malware 

*Your computer is running slower than usual.

*Menu Run, Search hidden by the virus*

*CTRL+ ALT +DEL can not be used.

*Original folders on your computer hidden and replace    with virus files.

*Menu Tools ->Folder Options missing in Windows   Explorer.

*Computer are often stopped or not   responding.

*Computer suddenly restart or crash, and this happened few minutes.

*Hard drive or disk drive inaccessible

*Print activity is not working properly

*Self-Replication or Duplication, they can make copies of themselves and spread from one system to another.

How a computer virus spreads?

1.Email attachments.

2.Infected websites

3.Removable Storage Device ie USB drive, external hard drives, or memory cards

4.Software downloads

5.Network sharing

6. Hackers/fake AntiVirus Software   

 What are actions to prevent computer viruses?   

 Actions to prevent virus infections

A-J prevention can be used here

Always update your anti-virus software at least weekly.

Back up your important files and ensure that they can be restored.

Change the computers boot sequence to always start the PC from its hard drive.

Don’t share drive c: without a password and without read-only restrictions.

Empty flash before turning on computers, especially laptops.

Forget opening unexpected e-mail attachments, even if they’re from friends.

Get trained on your computer’s anti-virus software and use it.

Have a multiple backups of important files. This lowers the chance that all are infected.

Install security updates for your operating system and programs as soon as possible.

Jump at the chance to learn more about your computer.This will help you spot viruses.