Removal of Computer Virus
Computer viruses are programs which infect a system as soon as they are executed on it, with
the aim of interrupting its performance. The viruses disseminate easily through emails, attachments and text messages exchanged through instant
messengers. Therefore, viruses gain illegal entry into a machine, execute without the user’s permission and impart undesirable effects in a mode
that is quite threatening.
- Anti-virus software. Installing anti-virus software removes all the viruses it ‘detects’ while also prohibiting the entry of new ones
in the system. Note that one antivirus cannot remove all type of viruses and there may be some infection that is left undetected. Therefore, to
optimally free your system of virus, you may use a combination of anti-virus. Also, keep updating your antivirus religiously so that it is able
to combat the ever evolving viruses. Better go in for the licensed version of your antivirus software. Set your antivirus to check all the
incoming emails before downloading them on your system so that the chances of infection reaching your inbox are reduced.
- Firewall. This is software or hardware that prohibits the entry of any undesirable file or software into your system. The entrants may
be worms, Trojans, viruses, hackers, and all those trying to reach your system with a malicious intent. Use both antivirus and firewall on your
system, if possible of the same company. They are compatible. Be vigilant about the latest on firewall as well.
- Backup. As there is no one-stop solution for all the computer threats, its better to backup your important files. The coders are
continuously busy designing fool proof viruses in order to surpass all or most of the computer security tools. Now, if some potentially damaging
new viruses are able to barge into your system, despite antivirus protection, and crash it, you at least have your critical data saved on a
CD.
- Internet download. Avoid downloading freeware or programs from the internet. They may contain network virus. Do not open emails from
sources unrecognizable to you and certainly avoid downloading attachments you receive through internet, a couple of key sources of virus
epidemic. At times attachment from even a known sender may be infected by virus, especially the executable files such as the ones with the
extension, .EXE, .COM, .VBS, .XLS, .DOC, .GIF. Therefore, run antivirus check prior to downloading the attachment.
- Macro Virus protection. Avoid running macros as much as possible to protect your system from macro viruses affecting MS Office
applications. Run a macro only after ascertaining its functions and its impact. Better enable macro virus protection on your system. Go to Tools
option in any MS Office application and click on General tab to check on Macro Virus Protection option.
- System update. It’s important to keep your system updated. Have as many revised versions of installed software in your system as
possible. That way, along with upgraded features, you may also get enhanced security for your machine. For example, Windows explorer’s updated
version, SP2 has inbuilt firewall.
- Floppy disk boot. Boot sector viruses spread through floppy disk. If you leave an infected floppy in hard drive by mistake then the
system when booting up, looks for boot files in floppy drive. If the infected floppy is there, the machine will boot from it and the system is
exposed. Therefore, instead of falling prey to boot viruses, better disable “boot from floppy drive” function in your system’s
settings.
- Awareness. Keep yourself posted on the latest in PC threat so that you brace your machine accordingly. It is possible that your current
antivirus is not capable of combating some potential new virus you have come to know about while another famous antivirus is. It’s prudent then
to switch on to the one giving your computer optimal security.
- Different OS. Most of the malicious software (viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware and malware) are designed for Windows OS owing to its
widespread use. If you are comfortable working in a different environment then, you may go in for OS such as UNIX and LINUX with lesser virus
incidence and strong inbuilt security features to save them from virus attack.
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