Save Your Computer From a Virus Attack

Virus is a very common term we keep hearing regularly whenever the topic of computers comes up. What exactly are viruses? What harm do they do to a computer? Can you protect your computer from a virus attack? These are some common questions that one comes across in any discussion regarding virus. Let’s first try and understand what exactly is meant by a virus.

Virus can be defined as a computer program that can easily replicate itself and lead to serious damage in the computer. They are the modern day’s electronic terrorist that are spreading fast and affecting computers all over the world. A virus can be mistaken as spyware, adware and malware. However, it is not so. These programs affect the computer but cannot replicate themselves and are thus not to be taken as a virus. They cause less harm than a virus can. But when we talk of computer virus it includes virus, malware, adware and spyware. Don’t be too sure that you may immediately be able to detect the presence of a computer virus; there are many computer viruses that behave surreptitiously and go unnoticed by the user.

Here are some tips that can help prevent a computer virus from attacking your system.

1. Install updated and good quality Anti-Virus software that provides complete protection from spyware, adware and malware too. Schedule a complete system scan at least once a week to keep your system clean.

2. Install only original operating system on your computer. At the time of purchase you may get attracted to the lower priced computer with pirated software, but this one time saving may result into a long term headache for you. Pirated software cannot be updated from the manufacturer’s website as it is illegal and it would not have all the update for security purpose. Secondly, while making the pirated version of the operating software the security BIOS has to be altered to make it viable. This makes the pirated version more susceptible to computer virus than a genuine operating system. Get an original operating system installed and keep updating it regularly for regular protection.

3. Do not open emails, messages that come from an unidentified sender. You may be tempted to open the mail that claims you are the winner of $100,00,000 but hold yourself. These are tricks to get you to click their link just ONCE and the computer virus has made its way to your system. These are tricks to infect your system and pass sensitive information like bank information, passwords, credit card information, and personal details to the miscreants. They may use this information to hack into your bank accounts and wipe-out your bank account leaving you bankrupt in a single day. On a more serious note they may use your personal details as the personal details of their terrorists to pass of as regular citizens and you may face serious legal trouble if your name and details get exposed in any racket.

As a rule always keep a back-up of your data on the computer. You can use the traditional CD’s and DVD’s to keep a back-up of your data or use the online data back-up services too. There are many operating systems like Windows 7 that have a data backup and recovery option in the software itself. Computer viruses can cause smaller issues like slowing your system to major issues like having an identity theft. Take adequate precaution to keep yourself and your data safe. After all, no cost is too big if it keeps you safe and protected.