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