Antivirus Blog

Viruses are not necessarily the only threat to your computer’s security that you should be concerned about. There are several other types of harmful malware such as worms and Trojan horse infections that should also be taken into account. While the viruses of yesterday were relatively simple programs, today they are very complex, stealth, and capable of doing significant damage to your computer, network, or server. Millions of computers around the world are currently infected with one or more of these malicious applications.

If your computer seems to be running slower than usual or any other indications of a possible virus infection and you’d like to know what needs to be done to remove a computer virus, the first step is installing an up to date antivirus program. Having current antivirus software running on your computer gives you the ability to detect as well as remove viruses. However, in some instances antivirus software is not always capable of detecting other types of infections such as worms or Trojan horses.

In order to ensure that viruses can be found and removed, it’s imperative to keep your antivirus software up to date. Most antivirus utilities offer automatic updates, while others must be manually updated. New threats are created and spread throughout the internet every day, so it is very important that you have the latest protection running on your computer.

In the event that your antivirus software discovers a virus, it will immediately alert you of the name and the nature of the virus and then begin taking steps to remove it. In many cases, the software will be able to completely remove the virus, while in other cases you may need to replace damage files or reinstall software. In cases where the virus cannot be completely removed, it will be moved to a quarantine area so that it’s unable to infect any other files on your computer.

It’s always a good idea to do a little research on the infection that your software discovered to help you better understand it and potentially help you figure out how you may have contracted it in the first place. Take the name of the infection that your antivirus system gives and run a search online to see what comes up. There is tons of information online regarding known viruses and what exactly they do and how they are commonly delivered.

Stopping a virus in its tracks before it becomes a serious threat is the key. Some viruses may cause substantial damage if gone undetected. In some serious cases, entire hard drives can be damaged beyond repair. Installing an effective antivirus program and keeping it up to date is absolutely necessary to keep your system protected from viruses. In addition to the protection provided to you by the antivirus software, you can further protect yourself by using a little diligence when surfing the internet, using email and chatting. Donít visit any websites that you donít trust, as they may be hosting infections. Never download an email attachment from an unfamiliar address or accept a file transfer from an anonymous sender when chatting. Following these simple guidelines will help you keep harmful programs off of your computer so you donít have to deal with removing them in the future.

There are several ways that spyware can sneak onto your computer. Visiting some unfamiliar websites may cause your browser to automatically download spyware to your computer. File sharing programs like KaZaa and Limewire are notorious for assisting in the distribution of spyware. Even some legitimate software comes bundled with a less-harmful yet still intrusive type of spyware. In order to fend off spyware, you’ll need adequate spyware detection and removal software. But what if you suspect that your system is already running spyware?

There are a few key things to look for to help you determine whether or not your system has actually been infected with some type of spyware.

Signs that there is Spyware Present

• Flashing icons in the taskbar that were not there previously
• Random, unprovoked browser pop-ups that advertise things like casinos, pornography, or money making opportunities (bizop)
• Antivirus software alerting you about security breaches
• Constant requests from firewalls to grant permissions to random applications that you’re unfamiliar with

What to do After You’ve Been Infected

1. Avoid clicking on any ads or pop-ups that you are presented with. Check for updates for your security software
2. Reboot your computer in safe mode by pressing F8 at the BIOS screen when you start your computer
3. Run your spyware and antivirus scans to check for issues. Be sure to select ‘Full Scan’ so that your entire hard drive is checked.
4. Check your Program Files folder for any new folders that may have appeared. Try uninstalling those programs with the Add/Remove Programs in your Control Panel. In some cases, simply uninstalling the foreign software will solve the problem.
5. Reboot your computer, and run another full scan to see if there are still any spyware/viruses lurking about.
6. Check Your Windows Processes for anything that looks suspicious. Any unfamiliar process names that are comprised of random combinations of letters and numbers might be red flags. Do a Google search of the process name and see what comes up. If it is indeed spyware, you will likely find resources that will confirm it.
7. If you’ve determined that it is indeed spyware, try searching your computer for it, and then end the process and delete the .exe. If it automatically starts up again, youíll have to reboot your computer in safe mode to delete it.

By using all of the aforementioned precautions as well as removal methods, you should be able to completely rid your PC of any and all spyware, and have it running back to capacity. Even though some spyware is more or less just an inconvenience, other types are very malicious and designed with the sole purpose of robbing you.

Having a computer free of spyware is very important for your personal safety as well as your peace of mind. With a clean PC you can surf the web, shop online, and even do your banking with confidence. And you wonít have to deal with the slowed down performance often associated with spyware using up too many system resources.

In order to ensure that you are fully protected from viruses and other types of malicious applications, you should consider running antivirus software on your system. Even the most experienced computer users who are well versed in the art of avoiding viruses still run antivirus software as an additional safeguard. The potential loss of data that a virus can cause makes having maximum security for your PC a must.

Antivirus software functions in two main ways. Its large database of known viruses allows it to scan files and folder on your computer and compare them with virus data to make sure that viruses are not present and files are not infected. In addition, antivirus software provides constant system monitoring to alert you of any suspicious activity that might otherwise go undetected. Part of this monitoring process involves creating hidden decoy files that act as bait to see if a lingering virus attempts to alter them. If this occurs, the program identifies it as a virus and alerts the computer owner immediately.

The two largest providers of antivirus software are Norton and McAfee. Both commercial software companies offer premium security software that is regularly updated as part of their annual subscriptions. Each product offers the same basic functions, and both are well equipped to protect any PC. They tend to be a bit more expensive then other brands, but they are among the most trusted in the industry.

If you’d rather not pay for antivirus protection, there are free alternatives available. One such program is offered by AVG as their “Free Edition”. It’s a relatively small yet effective antivirus application that’s quite popular for being free and also for using very little system resources (so it doesn’t noticeably affect computer performance). AVG is a also a great option for those with older model computers that might not support more elaborate antivirus software.

If you’d simply like to run a check to see if your system is infected but do not wish do actually download and install an antivirus program, you can take advantage of TrendMicro’s HouseCall website. By visiting the website and clicking “Scan Now”, you can perform an immediate scan of your computer that will check for any viruses without the need to install any software, completely free of charge. Although it is very useful to determine if your computer has any infections, it may not help you to actually correct problems that might be discovered. In general, it is not considered a good idea to operate a PC that is not protected with some sort of antivirus software, especially if it is connected to the internet.

It is recommended to try out different antivirus software before deciding which one you’d like to continue using. Most paid antivirus programs offer a free trial version that you can download from their website and will allow you to get a feel for the software before deciding to make a purchase. However, if you test several antivirus products, always make sure that you uninstall each one before installing a new one. Having two antivirus applications running simultaneously can cause system instability.