Protecting Your Computer From Viruses and Spyware

A computer virus can be defined as a small software program that makes copies of itself, infecting files and spreading to other computers. A virus can delete or damage the data stored on a computer and even interfere with the computer’s operation.

Viruses are often spread through attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages, however can also spread through other mediums, such as USB memory sticks, external hard drives and even from attachments downloaded from web pages. it is therefore essential that you never open e-mail attachments or download and run files from an unknown website unless you know who it's from and what you expect it to perform.

Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.

Viruses and Trojans in recent times spread through the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.

To protect your computer from viruses, worms and even Trojans, I recommend you do the following:

1.    Install a trusted Anti-virus Programs from reputable vendors such as Symantec, Mcafee, Kaspersky, Norton and AVG.  Make sure you do regularly update your anti-virus software and check the internet for new virus definition files (which is standard with all reputable vendors). You should also scan your Hard Drives periodically and even removal storage devices such as USB memory sticks, SD Memory Cards, external hard drives, floppy disks and even CDs/DVDs before using on your computer.

2.    Install firewall software on your computer for added protection, especially useful if your computer spends a large amount of time on the Internet.

3.    Ensure your Operating System (Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7) has the latest patches and service packs installed, which not only fix bugs, but also protect your operating system from known vulnerabilities found on the operating system.

4.    Enable a spam filter in your email accounts to help reduce the number of spam e-mails received. You should always avoid clicking suspicious links from e-mails sent from unknown senders. Also, NEVER open attachments received from unknown senders. Also, if you do need to open a file received as an attachment, save it on your hard drive and scan it with your up to date anti-virus software prior to launching/opening the attachment.

5.    Often freeware software, pirated software, music and even games even carry viruses. It would therefore be best to avoid such software if possible, however if you do need to install it, simply save the file on your hard drive, scan it for virus and only execute/install once the file has been scanned and no virus is found.

6.    Spyware programs can differ from viruses even though they often do behave like viruses, posing similar risks. To help protect against spyware, most anti-virus software houses do have spyware protection capabilities.

7.    Make sure you do backup of all your important files, address books and even email messages (if you use email messages are stored locally on your hard drive). You need to remember that if your computer does ever get corrupted, you may lose your valuable documents which you may never get back if not backed up (unlike software, which you can simply just re-install).

8.    The Internet is the one of the main sources of all viruses and spyware. It is therefore advisable that you are exhibit extremely caution while visiting web sites, instant messaging or when downloading unauthorized materials.

9.    Due to the widespread acceptance of USB memory drives, they have now become one of the main carriers of viruses and spywares. It is important that you do scan any your USB memory drives before you open it start using it and launch files that are stored on the drive.

10. If after exhibiting caution your computer does get infected by a virus or spyware, it is worth checking on your anti-virus vendor’s website for solutions, as they do tend to be extremely resourceful. In many cases, the anti-virus vendor will have free cleanup programs available for you to download. You should endeavour to clean your computer as soon as possible. Keep the phone number of your anti-virus software support desk handy just in case you do need to contact them.

Good Luck and safe computing!!