Shoutbox

About Virues

Viruses are common these days, they spread through files. This thread is to help those who constantly get viruses and how to deal with them, mainly for noobs

Viruses are not they only things to be concerted about there are:

•    Trojan Horses
•    Worms
•    Adware
•    Spyware
•    Malware
•    Diallers

Trojans horses are very common. They are everywhere and don't think by downloading nothing your safe. They usally save in your C:/windows folder. Trojans can be harmless in very rare cases some are to collect passwords. Some are to delete files and generally damage your computer. A Trojan cannot spread though so there should only be one infected file.

A backdoor trojan is much much more then something to collect passwords. A backdoor trojan opens a port on your computer which can be used by the hacker (or anyone who knows about it) to break into your computer, collect info, do bad stuff, etc...  (Explanation by Cookie Revised)

A worm is a type of program which seeks his way true networks to infect other computers. This can be done by mailing itself, breaking firewalls, etc... The difference with a virus is that a virus infects files, a worm seeks his own way for spreading.  (Explanation by Cookie Revised)

Adware is annoying if anything. They display advertisements, it can slow down your computer and is general irritating.

Spyware is most common, 9/10 computers have been infected with spy ware. In addition, they can collect passwords, your files and the worse your credit card numbers.

Dialers change your internet configuration, and dial to paynumbers instead to your normal provider. This will costs you money as almost all "dialer"-numbers are heavy pay numbers, and/or located in other countries. (Explanation by Cookie Revised)
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Below is how to protect your self from such threats:

Have at least one anti-virus
Have an anti Spyware program
Have a firewall (windows contacts a firewall)
Protect your self with basic knowledge

A free anti virus is Avg (Anti Virus Grifson) and can be located here



Download and save the file in your program files then run it. Follow the on screen instructions and you will need to reboot your computer.

Remember:


Anti viruses, do not protect you from all spyware
Anti viruses, do not protect you from ad-ware
Run a scan about once a week
Always update your definitions before running a scan

To protect you from getting viruses in the first place:

Do not download just anything
Keep you security settings on your internet Brower high
Have an active firewall

Viruses can be hard to get rid of. They can stop anti-viruses from working probably. You may have to delete them manually, especially if the are an executable process by windows. If this is the case find, out about your virus and get help finding the registry keys, how to delete the executable file in safe mode etc.