Data erasure: Some computer viruses can delete data on computers they infect. This is a great reason to do regular backups.

Loss of control: Many computer viruses are designed to take control of your computer so that it may assist in further attacks on other systems.

System destabilization: Other computer viruses attack a computer or network and leave it unusable.

None of these are desired things that we want for our computers or network. Stay vigilant when it comes to the security of your PC or network. Never open questionable emails and attachments and always keep your anti-virus software up-to-date.

There has been more and more e-card companies sprouting up all over the Internet.  It’s great fun to send an e-greeting card to friends and relatives.  It’s also cheaper and easier as you can do it right there on your computer.

Beware though; a legitimate looking e-card can be a home to spyware or a computer virus.  It would be possible for you to receive an e-card, click on the link to take you to the card, and there be inundated with spyware or a computer virus attack.

Check this news story for more information.

Vista and Security
By Kelly Liyakasa

Any computer owner knows about the age-old debate over what causes a computer virus or recurring spyware attacks. Many attribute malicious spyware to the number of pop-up ads we receive when surfing the Net. Some think spyware is embedded in the software we purchase, thus making it nearly impossible to fully eliminate the problem.

Some people believe computer viruses can be spread through email only and forget that file sharing can have negative impacts on PC’s as well. The conglomeration of Internet-security vocab can be downright confusing! Luckily, there are many anti-virus, anti-spyware and even hardware options to choose from in reducing the probability you fall prey to the Internet’s darker side.

Everyone knows Windows Vista was just released and some computer owners are questioning its ability to protect against various computer viruses and spyware. Microsoft is trying to clear up some of the negative misinformation that has been spreading on computer and security forums throughout the Web.

Here’s some Vista security features Microsoft released:

• Microsoft says Windows Vista was designed to be their safest operating system yet.

• Windows Defender is Vista’s take on an anti-spyware tool.

• Vista offers an Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode, designed to prompt users for permissions when visiting compromised Websites.

• Vista can run PC programs in Secure Mode.

• When any file download or applications begin, Vista can prompt the computer administrator for their password or permission.

• Vista offers Web Restrictions, such as blocking adult sites from children’s eyes.

• Gambling sites or gaming sites can be filtered through Vista.

While it’s admirable Microsoft has chosen to design an operating system that strives to better your security precautions, controversy has arisen with many of the best antivirus services. Some services like McAfee and Symantec feel Microsoft is attempting to push out third-party anti-virus providers. They feel Vista’s security coding could be cracked and it’s necessary to continue protecting your PC with alternative software.

6StarReviews.com reports that Internet security suites like PCSecurityShield offer many aspects to safeguarding your computer. In any event your Vista OS doesn’t provide full coverage, a comprehensive anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing security suite can come to the rescue.

Vista and Security
Copyright (c) 2007
Kelly Liyakasa

Kelly Liyakasa is a writer for 6StarReviews.com. Kelly Staller is site manager at 6StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then Visit our site at 6StarReviews.com

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Prevention is the Best Cure for a Computer Virus
By James Angell

You’re sick. You’ve got a fever, the chills, and a headache so horrible that you can’t think straight. No matter who claims to desperately need your help, you are not going to get out of bed. Your computer can suffer the very same thing–a virus. And, in the worst-case scenario, it might cause your computer to refuse to start up.

The term “virus” in the computer world comes from exactly where you might think–the term used for illnesses like the common cold. Like a biological virus, a computer virus spreads by making and sending copies of itself to other computers.

A computer virus causes a lot of trouble in a computer and the infection occurs without the consent of the user. The copies it makes of itself could be exactly like the original virus, or they might vary a bit. They typically spread over a network or via the Internet.

Many people lump all malicious programming under the label “virus.” However, a virus is something completely different from a worm or a Trojan horse. Unlike a virus, a worm can’t spread on its own; it requires some action from the user, such as opening or running an infected file. A Trojan horse is a file that tricks the user into running it by appearing to be harmless.

Viruses cause problems for computer users by harming programs, reformatting the hard disk, or deleting files. Although the vast majority of viruses are created for the purpose of doing harm, there are a few that are meant to be harmless pranks that merely display video, audio, or text messages. Regardless, these viruses still use up memory without permission.

The fist virus was dubbed “Elk Cloner” and it was made to run on the Apple DOS 3.3 operating system. It was created by a high school student named by Richard Skrenta in 1982. It was a joke virus that was transmitted using a floppy disk containing a game.

The disk could successfully open the game 49 times; on the 50th the virus was activated. It caused the screen to go blank and then display a poem reading: “It will get on all your disks. It will infiltrate your chips. Yes it’s Cloner! It will stick to you like glue. It will modify RAM, too. Send in the Cloner!”

Brain was the first virus for the PC. It was designed in 1986 by brothers Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi. Their purpose for creating the virus was to protect legitimate software they’d written from being copied illegally.

In the early days of viruses, the usual means of infection was through some form of media that could be moved from computer to computer, like a floppy disk. However, today, it’s easier for viruses to be spread over the Internet or through computer networks, so most are designed to do just that.

Because of the popularity of the Windows platform, the majority of viruses are designed to exploit weaknesses in the Windows operating system. However, that’s not to say that there are no viruses affecting other operating systems. The truth is, no matter what operating system you’re running, unless you take steps to prevent virus infections, your computer is vulnerable.

There is an entire industry of virus protection software. The most common ways these anti-virus programs work are: 1) Detecting viruses using signature definitions, and 2) Detecting viruses using a heuristic algorithm that recognizes typical virus behaviors.

A program that uses signature definitions relies on the user to keep the list of definitions up to date using updates and patches put out by the maker of the software. These are usually available at no cost with purchase of the software or through a paid subscription to the software.

The algorithm method is able to find viruses for which no signature exists.

Other ways of protecting your computer against viruses include making backups of your data and operating system on media not stored on the computer’s hard drive. This way, if your computer should be infected causing a loss of data or the inability to start up the computer, you can restore the computer.

If your computer becomes infected, it’s unwise to continue using it until the virus has been removed by completely reinstalling the operating system. This is a time-consuming process and often results in lost data. So, as with a virus in the human body, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” An anti-virus protection program is absolutely essential to the health of your computer.

While surfing the internet I found “XoftSpySE” which did an excellent job cleaning up and optimizing my PC. This program saved me a lot of time and frustration by getting rid of some high risk items that found their way into my computer. Get a free scan at http://www.easywayincome.com

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How to Get Rid of a Computer Virus
By Emma Drosy

Computer viruses often take innocent-looking forms, and operate on sneaky planes of your computer, often behind the scenes. You may know how to avoid computer viruses and yet still be struck with one. Because there’s always the risk that it might happen to you, you may want to learn how to get rid of a computer virus.

You want to know how to get rid of a computer virus even if you don’t currently have one, because when a computer virus strikes you may not have the means to look up information on how to get rid of a computer virus. Learn how to treat them before you get them, so you won’t have to worry about how to get rid of a computer virus at an inconvenient time.

If you want to know how to get rid of a computer virus, the answer lies in anti-virus software. You can find lots of free software (download it through a reputable source!) for anti-virus protection on the Internet. Anti-virus software is how to get rid of a computer virus, the safest and best way for your computer and your other software.

This anti-virus software not only takes care of existing viruses (in most cases), but also blocks incoming viruses from making their home of your hard drive. If you want to know how to get rid of a computer virus, get some free anti-virus software. This is the best way to deal with the problem, and will safeguard you against viruses.

Think about how to get rid of a computer virus, and download some software, before you have a problem with viruses. You want to protect the information on your computer, not to mention the software and components of the computer itself. When you know how to get rid of a computer virus, you won’t have to worry about the information you may lose or the problems you may face that result from having a virus. When it comes to computer viruses, prevention is the key. When you know how to get rid of a computer virus, you can use your computer without fear.

Get Rid of a Trojan Horse Virus for Good!

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