Everything you need to know about malware

Virus is usually the term to describe computer malware. Malware is a combination of the words ‘malicious’ and ‘software’ and is a piece of software (computer program) written by someone with malicious and/or criminal intent. The term malware includes, amongst other things, worms, Trojan horses and spyware, as well as viruses.

The functions of malware are usually twofold: to spread itself by some means, and to do some sort of damage or theft. With the onset of fast networks, and in particular home broadband, much malware is now designed to take control of your computer so that it can be used for nefarious purposes, e.g. hosting illegal data, sending spam email or being used to attack others, possibly for extortion purposes.

In some cases, damage does not occur as soon as the malware infects the machine. Some are created to be remotely activated and some on particular dates. Malware can spread through email as an attachments, on file-sharing/peer-to-peer networks, through messages to instant message clients or by using an infected CD.

What about anti-virus protection?

It is mandatory that every user keep their machines protected from foreign attacks.

What can I do to protect my system?

• Ensure that you have up-to-date protection software
• Keep your system updated with patches
• Don’t open unwarranted or suspicious email attachments
• Don’t open a link included in an email
• Don’t follow a link in an unexpected message in an instant messaging client, even if it appears to come from someone on your friends list
• Don’t accept and use unsolicited media, e.g. DVDs, CDs or USB memory sticks
• If in doubt about any of the above, consult your local IT Support.
• Maintain regular backups of all the important material on your computer, in case you ever need to recover from a major malware infection or any other disaster.

What should I do if I think I have a virus or other malware?

The first step would be is to remain calm.

Most infections result only in inconvenience and loss of time, not necessarily resulting in damage or loss of important files.

If you notice that your PC is behaving strangely, e.g. run very slowly, bleep without reason, lock up or crash, display bizarre messages, or your documents become corrupt or contain text you didn’t type, these effects may be symptoms of your having acquired a piece of malware, although they can also arise for a host of other reasons. On the other hand, some malware just spreads through your system with no outward sign. The only way to discover whether you have a virus or other malware is to scan your system with up-to-date anti-virus software. This may be able to remove the virus/malware as well as detecting it.

By following the above steps, you will be able to completely remove malware from your internet browser and system. If you still experience issues, contact online Virus Removal Services like US Helplines, who will guide you through the removal of the virus at a low cost .

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