by: Ashish Jain
A virus is a piece of code that gets loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. The first known occurrence of viruses goes back to 1987 when the ARPANET was infected by one.
One common misnomer among people is that you can infect your computer just by opening an email and reading its text. That is not possible; it is usually the files attached to the email that contain the virus. The most common file types are ".SCR" ".VBS" ", ".PIF"
Prevention is better than a cure: Here are some tips to make sure that your computer does not get infected.
* Get a good Anti-Virus software like Norton Anti-Virus, MacAfee, PC Cillin etc.
* Keep your anti virus software updated by downloading new virus definitions regularly. Most Anti-Virus software comes with the feature of updating virus definitions.
* Keep your windows operating system updated by regularly downloading new updates from the Internet. Windows O/S's have a lot of security loopholes and bugs that can be easily exploited by worms and viruses.
* Make sure the anti virus scans the file each time before its opened.
* Floppy disks and removable media are a good source of viruses; always scan them before accessing files on them.
* Never open email attachments from sources that are unknown or suspicious.
* Do not open emails that have questionable subject lines.
* When in doubt about a file, don't open it.
* Even with the best of precautions bad things can still happen. Backup all your data and important files.
Even after taking all these precautions if your computer does get infected, then here are a few things that you can do:
Online clearing tools - are a good source of trying to clean out the virus, there are many Anti-Virus websites that offer free online virus detection and removal services.
Removal tools - If you have an Anti-Virus software then you can go to the website of that software and download removal tools designed specifically for the virus. However, you must find out the name of the virus that infects your PC beforehand.
If you have a backup of all your important files, you can also consider formatting your hard disk.
About the author:
Ashish Jain
M6.Net
http://www.m6.net
Ashish is an integral member of the M6.Net Web Helpers team.
Virus prevention and removal
COMPUTER BACKUPS
by: Jack Back
COMPUTERS AND HALLOWEEN, DO THEY MIX?
Computer backup is so important to your computer that to ignore it is to risk its damnation.
Computers require care and feeding. They require that you attend to their needs. If you don't, then they will most surely be sent to Hell.
Halloween means Hell. What! What do you mean that Halloween means Hell?
Well, if your computer is given the option of trick or treat, which will it accept? Will it accept the trick or the treat? What do you think?
Halloween is the time that computers are subject to tricks or treats. Did you know that more computers fail on Halloween than any other day of the year? That’s right. It’s true (smile). Your computer is in danger! Protect it. Do your computer backups.
Back to the Hell thing. Hell you say? Yep. Well, what do you mean by Hell?
Computer hell is the place for computers without computer backup. The failure to perform hard drive backup means that you are playing Russian Roulette with your data. Data needs your protection. Failure to protect your data may cause your home or business records to be sent to Hell.
Hell in this instance is for the records and files that cannot be resurrected. Resurrected you say, what does that mean?
It means that without computer backup as a source of salvation then the files can safely enjoy eternal oblivion. Oblivion you say, what does that mean? That means they are eternally lost from computer resurrection.
Is there any mercy for my precious files, you ask?
Why yes there is. Would like to know what the mercy for your files is? Yes! Yes! You say.
OK boys and girls listen carefully. The salvation, mercy, resurrection and redemption of your files lies in regular and consistent and persistent computer backup.
If you backup your computer consistently and persistently your files will be resurrected and saved from accidental deletion, hard drive failure and those nasty things like fire, flood, theft, earthquake, hurricanes, tornados and the like!
Computer backup is the key to your data's salvation!
Do your computer backups boys and girls.
Milk and cookies will be served in the pantry.
Trick or treat for your computer backup?
About the author:
Jack Back has been a working computer consultant company owner since 1991. He started in IT in 1983. Now get your FREE 2 part guide on how to save your precious computer data from loss at the http://www.tweakspeed.com/Computer-Backup-1.htm website.
Labels: Computer
