| Viruses, Worms and Bacterias are the well known | | | | installable programs in Hard disk. |
| biological pathogens. In computer terminology, | | | | Many times, we copy the installation program from |
| experts have termed them for malicious programs. In | | | | CD-Rom of software to Hard-disk directory. Actually, |
| previous decades, these programs were supposed to | | | | most of viruses replace the executable programs |
| be a computer flaws or mistakes. Lateron, many | | | | with the virus program. If they affect your hard disk, |
| passionate destructive programmers coded such | | | | you may accidentally install them.[2] Have a Virus |
| programs which were intentionally programmed to | | | | Scanning program and scan the executable files |
| perform some destructive activities. Their benefits | | | | before you executeYou must install any Virus |
| are not known, although, their destiny is known to us | | | | scanner program which can scan each file individually |
| and that is - Prison. But, question arises that - why | | | | on your command. This will escape you from state |
| such programmers have chosen such a poor activity? | | | | where you accidentally execute a program that is |
| I think the reason is the human nature, these people | | | | already virus affected.[3] Windows users should not |
| can not do anything good to become famous, so | | | | follow web view of windows explorer.Most of viruses |
| they have chosen to become bad name and gain | | | | replace the Folder.htt with some VBScript. Each time |
| some fame. Afterall, that is also the kind of fame. In | | | | you view a folder, you execute a virus and you keep |
| this article, you will find some precautions and ideas | | | | thinking - why my computer is so slow? |
| to get rid of these malicious programs and also a | | | | Follow the folder option and replace the view of |
| brief introduction to such programs.Philosophy of | | | | folder with classic folder view.[4] Use Full extension |
| VirusesEach virus is a malicious program which is | | | | instead of Filenames onlyBy default Windows |
| programmed and designed to take benefits of flaws | | | | Explorer is designed to hide the extension of known |
| in computer system including hardware and software | | | | file types. This is the weak point. Actually, most of |
| components. The actual thing what each virus | | | | viruses that executed through e-mails use this |
| demand is - CPU Resource. CPU resource can be | | | | weakness. They may use the same icon of Microsoft |
| understood as state of execution. All the executables | | | | Word to an executable file. You would take a file as |
| programs follow the following states - | | | | Microsoft Word file which has .DOC extension. You |
| [1] Dormant State | | | | could not see its extension, you are just watching its |
| [2] Ready State | | | | icon which is similar to .DOC file. You may execute it |
| [3] Execution State | | | | and accidentally affect your system. So, follow the |
| [4] Waiting StateThe executable program at the | | | | Folder Option from Control Panel and uncheck the |
| beginning is at dormant state. In this state, the | | | | option in View tab that suggests - Hide file extension |
| executable is only stored in the secondary storage | | | | for known types.[5] Keep better control on programs |
| device (Hard disk, Floppy etc.). After the CPU | | | | that are executed at system start-upYou can follow |
| Scheduler schedules the executable file, the | | | | System information from Program > Accessories > |
| executable gets the CPU resource. Each program | | | | System Tools. Click Software Environment and then |
| passes through all these states. The operating | | | | click Startup Programs. If you find any program that |
| system has the scheduler program that runs under | | | | may be malicious, you can remove it from startup. |
| the kernel to perform the execution of executable | | | | There are two options for any program to execute |
| programs. Even a Virus also follows through these | | | | at startup -(a) Programs > Startup Folder. (b) |
| states.In MS-DOS and Windows based Operating | | | | Windows RegistryYou may easily remove a |
| systems .COM, .EXE are the common executable files. | | | | suspected file from startup folder by deletion. But, |
| Many Trojans and Cuckoo eggs take benefit from | | | | Windows registry is bit trickier. You may study one |
| this. Trojans are the malicious programs, but, they | | | | of my article on Windows registry.The Ultimate |
| cheat the user by his mistake and also operating | | | | SolutionAnti-Virus programs are the best solution. |
| system flaws. Such as they may store a program | | | | There are may freeware Anti-virus programs such as |
| with the same name in a directory which is scanned | | | | AVG, Avast and others. On the other hand, we have |
| by operating system shell first; like System32 folder | | | | Norton Antivirus, PcCillin and McAfee which are |
| of Windows-2000 is searched for presence of a file | | | | famous ones. Use any one of them that suits your |
| before Winnt. Due to this, if you type a executable | | | | requirements. The anti-virus programs keep some |
| file without providing its full name, you may | | | | patterns of file organization of a virus infected file |
| accidentally execute a different file that may be | | | | and they match the same pattern to all the files |
| malicious too. The other option for such programs | | | | stored in your system. They may track a series of |
| (Trojans) may be extensions of Windows operating | | | | viruses. If they find any virus during scanning, you are |
| system. A .COM is executed before .EXE, I meant | | | | prompt to delete such files. You are also informed |
| that if two files have the same name with only | | | | with the name of virus. Actually, these names are |
| difference of extension, you may execute a .COM | | | | given by anti-virus programs, but, names are |
| accidentally which may be a Trojan. One other option | | | | common to all the anti-virus. |
| which such Trojans follow is typing mistakes. But, | | | | You should update your anti-virus software through |
| GUI based operating systems where icons are | | | | Internet to make it efficient over new viruses. Most |
| followed , such mistakes automatically | | | | of updations are free of cost.Rescue for a virus |
| eradicated.Effects of VirusesViruses not only use | | | | affected computerIf you find some specific files |
| system flaws but, they also work with useful | | | | affected by virus while scanning with anti-virus |
| components of operating system. The best way for | | | | program. Remove them immediately. But, if you find |
| such programs is performing a loss to the computer | | | | that many files are affected and even system files |
| system by spreading themselves. This quality of | | | | are also corrupt. Save all the data files stored in boot |
| viruses matches with biological viruses. I think that is | | | | drive (mostly C:) and store them in other partition of |
| the main reason why 'Virus' name was coined. Viruses | | | | your hard-disk. Scan you boot sector with anti-virus |
| may -[1] Replace the system files and software | | | | program and if that is also affected, store your data |
| executable with their own program. | | | | files in a floppy disk or some other media. After this, |
| [2] Delete some content or modify all the contents. | | | | power off your system, do not shut down properly |
| [3] Read you Address Book and mail the Virus | | | | in this case, there may be some files related with |
| program as a attachment to your friends and group. | | | | windows shut down process, affected with virus. |
| [4] Eat-up all the system resource by using memory | | | | Such program may also affect your recently secured |
| acquired by them. (Memory-resident Viruses) | | | | data files. Next you do is re-installation of operating |
| [5] Make the whole system state unstable or nearly | | | | system. You should format the partition affected by |
| stop working. | | | | such viruses. Do not install without formatting.Some |
| [6] Create a Bad Sector to hard disk which | | | | VBScript based viruses can be removed by deleting |
| Operating system discards reading.Most of times | | | | .HTT files. .HTT file keep the customized folder |
| Viruses act in such a stealth manner that user is not | | | | setting. Search these files in all the computer folders |
| aware with what is going on. A novice user may not | | | | and then delete. You may also search them with |
| notice the incident that is going with his computer | | | | clause of text containing as 'vbscript'. This will affect |
| system. Sometimes, experts also miss such incidents. | | | | only the view setting of all the folders of your |
| Actually, Virus developers do not follow any common | | | | computer. But, if you are already using classic view |
| method and technique. They are simple programmer | | | | of Folders Option, you will automatically get rid of |
| who accidentally know some system flaws and enjoy | | | | HTT files related problems.Worms are real problems |
| the loss of other people. They do not think of effect | | | | for the computer which are part of a LAN or |
| of such activity. A computer system may be installed | | | | Intranet. Your Internet connection may also be LAN |
| in any place. It may installed in a Hotel, Office and | | | | based. If you are not using firewall, Botnet and |
| even in Hospital. It may be installed in an ICU of a | | | | worms can perform their poor activities. Firewall is a |
| hospital. Think of a scenario when someone dies only | | | | software that can be installed to protect |
| due to failure of computer of ICU. This is a real | | | | unauthorized access to your system through |
| shame on virus developers. If they can not do | | | | network and controlling incoming and outgoing traffic |
| something good, why applying all frustration on poor | | | | efficiently. Such program allow only those applications |
| citizens. What they did unfair with you? Whom are | | | | which are intended to use the Internet or access the |
| you taking revenge? I think they are the heartless | | | | network. One of the firewall software is - ZoneAlarm |
| fellow who do not understand human feelings and | | | | of Zone Labs. This product is freeware for home |
| they are apart from humanity. I have just one | | | | users. You need not be an expert. This program is by |
| suggestion to them, meet psychiatrist.Virus, Trojans, | | | | default well configured. Trusted zones are set into it |
| Worm, Bacteria, Spy ware and BotnetThese all | | | | which are the computers of the network which can |
| programs are collectively called malicious programs. | | | | make connection with you. You can lock the internet |
| These all the executables in various forms. Some | | | | facility if you are not using it. Actually, spywares |
| VBA programs are also one of these.Virus : Any | | | | make contact to any server to perform their |
| malicious program which creates multiple copies and | | | | activity, when they lose the connection, their effect |
| performs any miscreant activity withing the system | | | | becomes negligible. So, firewalls can be used to get |
| resource. They eat-up memory, replace or corrupt | | | | rid of worms, botnets and spywares.Anti-Spyware |
| boot sectors of hard disk or stop a working | | | | softwares are the other method to protect the |
| systems.Trojan : These programs resemble with | | | | spywares. Actually, spywares have a similar pattern |
| viruses, but, they have interesting way to make | | | | to work. Making access to Internet and send the |
| themselves executed. They take benefits of typing | | | | useful information and address book to their |
| mistake or priority based system of operating | | | | web-servers. They put themselves in start-up with |
| system as discussed above.Worm : Worm are | | | | the resembling name to a system file, such as |
| network based programs that takes network based | | | | rundll32.dll or Kernel32.dll. They masquerade with you |
| flaws into consideration. They spread themselves | | | | and play silly game of breaking your privacy. They |
| through network and generate serious problems in | | | | are not the one who delete something from your |
| servers. They may affect bigger organizations to | | | | system, but, they are the one who want to perform |
| home computers with their execution. Their activities | | | | something which can not be regained. Do not use |
| are similar as defined in previous point, but, they | | | | Internet Explorer if you are entangled with again and |
| differ in their methods of spreading. Bacteria : These | | | | again installation of viruses. Use Mozilla Firefox instead. |
| malicious programs have just single intention to copy | | | | Actually, being more powerful Internet Explorer |
| themselves many times. This causes lack of resource | | | | allows execution of some scripts which may be |
| in the computer.Spyware : Such programs spread | | | | harmful to your computer. Spywares are not the |
| through Internet. They take useful information from | | | | viruses, but, I keep them in malicious |
| the computer systems and send them to a | | | | programs.ConclusionYou should trace the reason of |
| web-server which installs them to know the secret | | | | any virus infection. If you trace it properly, problem |
| user information. These are easy to develop and | | | | may be avoided in future. Anti-virus programs work |
| spread.Botnet : Such programs are similar to | | | | to trace virus files, but, no one take guarantee. Your |
| spywares, but, their mechanism is different. These | | | | awareness is above all. Afterall, a virus is a program |
| programs are installed by Internet, the developer | | | | and it has its process in your computer. Use task |
| installs them in may computers of the world and they | | | | manager to get them deleted on the spot. Scan your |
| have interest to copy softwares and programs | | | | computer with such programs and do not click each |
| installed in many organization. They usually command | | | | executable, first scan the file, then, execute it. I have |
| the other systems and implement actions. Once the | | | | mentioned some of the precautions, but, the list is |
| central server sends a command through IRC, all the | | | | long. One best precaution is to use registered |
| computers where botnets are installed, respond to | | | | softwares only which follow some standard. There |
| it.This was a brief information about these malicious | | | | are many organizations for standardization. Products |
| programs. Now, I should come to the point what you | | | | downloaded from good software companies do not |
| can do to escape from them and rescue if you | | | | contain any such problems. You can download such |
| affected accidentally.Escaping from VirusesThere are | | | | programs from registered companies site. Overall, I |
| many precautions which can be taken to avoid | | | | can say - |
| viruses. I have enlisted some of the precautions, all | | | | "Precaution is better than cure. |
| of them are mandatory to follow -[1] Do not store | | | | |