Call it a virus, spyware, adware, hijacker or whatever, all of it can be lumped into one category - Malware - or malicious software. Raven Computer Services can clear your computer of it's infections, and take steps to
protect you from further infections. Call us so we can help you!
269-668-4040
Where does Malware come from?
What does Malware do?
How do I get infected?
How is it spread?
How do I protect myself from getting infected?
How do I get rid of
Malware once my computer gets infected?
Are there 'harmless' forms of
Malware?
Is it true that Apple Computers don't get infected?
How much protection do I need on my computer?
Are all Anti-Spyware programs alike?
If I install AntiMalware programs, can I still get infected?
Where do I get a firewall?
Would using a different browser help?
Conclusion
Where does Malware come from?
A variety of sources. Much of the spyware and adware was written by
advertisers, or those who work for advertisers. Some of it is even
written by those who are interested in tracking your every move on
the internet, or want to 'mine' your computer for personal information
such as Social Security numbers, PINs and the like. Some is just
designed to damage your computer for no good reason at all.
 TOP
What does Malware do?
Well, once your computer is infected the software often connects itself
to the internet and then downloads popup ads from the writers of the
software, thereby creating revenue for the Malware's creators. Or it
reports your activities to someone who you would not want to have
it. Often it will automatically invite other Malware into your
computer. Sometimes it may hijack your computer and direct you to a
web site that you did not intend to go to, even changing your home
page.
TOP
How do I get infected?
There are a few different ways. The main way is by downloading
something from the internet, something that the malicious software
is attached to and comes into your computer with. Thus the term "Trojan
Horse". Something bad hidden inside something that appears to be good.
Malware can also come into your computer through an attachment on an
email. This is why it is good advice not to open attachments from
anyone you do not know, or were not expecting. Opening the attachment
can cause the Malware to be installed on your computer.
Another common way of getting infected is by visiting bad web sites. If
your computer is not fully updated or protected, then you can get infected just
by landing on a bad web site.
TOP
How is it spread?
Some forms of Malware will actually write emails to everyone in your
address book, and attach a copy of itself to the email as an
attachment. This is why even opening attachments from email addresses
that you recognize can be hazardous.
Also the emails and attachments can have interesting and inviting
subjects and messages, encouraging you to open them. For instance,
recently there was a virus spreading itself by sending out emails with
the subject "I love you".
Most of it comes into your computer bundled with something else, something
that you want enough to download and install on your computer.
TOP
How do I protect myself from getting infected?
A virus scanner is the most common tool for prevention. This utility
attempts to scan a computer program before it runs, and if it
recognizes the signature of a malicious code it shuts it down. Many
scanners also evaluate programs to determine if it contains any
virus-related characteristics.
The best way to stop viruses is to use common sense. If an executable
computer program is attached to your e-mail and you are unsure of the
source then it should be deleted immediately. Do not download any
applications or executable files from unknown sources and be careful
when trading files with other users.
Using file trading websites such as Kazaa, Limewire and Bearshare is dangerous, as it has been
written that 80% of what comes from these peer to peer sites is infected. Not to mention
that the software that Kazaa distributes is bundled with different
forms of spyware, adware, etc.
Downloading anything that is free is not a good idea. Free music, free
screensavers, etc, are not worth the price! They are not to be
trusted. It is a good general rule that if you pay for it, you can
usually trust it.
Another trick is to see what appears to be a Windows error message on
your screen, and it might say something like "Spyware may be installed
on your computer. Click here to correct this problem". Of course,
this is not a Windows error message at all, but rather could be defined
as a popup ad. Clicking on this popup ad may lead to spyware being
installed on your computer.
Are you beginning to understand why it is called malicious?
TOP
How do I get rid of
Malware once my computer gets infected?
Anti Virus and Anti Spyware scanners can often find and
remove the offending programs. There are also other programs that are
good at finding and removing adware, spyware, and internet hijackers.
However, it is often true that if you get infected BEFORE installing
these programs they may be blocked from being properly installed and
updated by the Malware present on your computer. The best course of
action is to install these programs BEFORE you get infected.
Raven Computer Services has techniques of finding and removing Malware
if you find yourself in this situation. This is something we do for our customers on a
daily basis.
TOP
Are there 'harmless' forms of
Malware?
This is debatable. It is true that some forms of Malware are more
harmful than others. Some will allow you to uninstall them quite
easily. Others will damage your computer if you remove them. Some let
you know up front that they will be giving you popup ads once they are
installed. Most do not.
TOP
Is it true that Apple Computers don't get infected?
It seems that the writers of Malware want to reach the largest audience
possible, and therefore they exploit various vulnerabilities in Windows
because there are far more systems out there running Windows than there
are Apples. However, Apples can and do get infected as well.
TOP
How much protection do I need on my computer?
We have seen many computers that actually get bogged down with too much
antivirus programs, firewalls, etc. Overkill really, slowing down and
blocking the computer from doing the work that a computer was created
to do in the first place.
1) What I suggest first and foremost is to keep Windows updated.
Microsoft occasionally releases free updates that close the 'holes' in
Windows that could be exploited by Malware.
2) A firewall, and antivirus program, and a good anti Spyware program should be installed. These programs along with using common sense can
keep your system clean for years. Of course, these programs also need
to be updated on a regular basis. I have seen people using 4 year old
Antivirus programs that have not been updated, and that is
worthless for protection against current threats.
TOP
Are all Anti-Spyware
Programs Alike?
Not even close.
WARNING: Many spyware programs that are available for download over the
internet are not ANTI-spyware programs at all, but rather they will actually
infect your computer. Some even will charge you for this privilege.
There are currently over 200 of these types of programs known. Click
HERE
for list of known rogue "anti" spyware programs.
Other differences are: Some run all of the time on your computer giving
you constant protection, and others will only run when you manually tell them to
run a scan. Some are free, some have a small cost to keep it updated.
And you need to keep it updated!
TOP
If I install AntiMalware programs, can I still get infected?
Unfortunately, yes. Once a threat is released it may take a few days
for the writers of the AntiMalware software to devise a way to identify it and
remove it. In this short period of time millions of computers worldwide can
become infected.
TOP
Where do I get a firewall?
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or 3 has a firewall built into it. How do
you know if you have Service Pack 2 installed?
Start
right click on 'My Computer'
Properties
It will say something like Windows XP with Service Pack 2, or SP2, if you have
it installed.
TOP
Would
using a different browser help?
Most people surf the internet using the browser Internet Explorer from
Microsoft. But writers of Malware exploit certain vulnerabilities in IE,
and Microsoft keeps coming out with updates and new versions to combat this.
It is sort of a cat and mouse game.
There is another browser that can be used called
Mozilla Firefox. It
is safer (for the time being) than Internet Explorer in that it is not as
susceptible to picking up malicious software. It is free, and it works
pretty much like IE. PC magazine rated it the #1 software of 2004.
TOP
Conclusion
Prevention is always cheaper and better than the cure. Install Anti
Malware software, keep it updated, use common sense, and hopefully you
will be free from malicious software! Remember, Raven Computer
Services is here to help you, too!
TOP
Raven Computer
Services
269-668-4040
|