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E-FIX Computer Services
Main: (409) 586-1039
Cell: (936) 675-1313
This is a brief explanation of viruses, trojans, worms and spyware/adware. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.
Viruses: A computer virus is a malicious (normally) code that is written to infect executable files and/or system areas on hard drives and other removable drives.
It then attempts to infect other files and/or computers. To become active, a virus-infected file must be executed (double-clicking, another program attempting to open, etc..). A partial
list of file types that are vulnerable to virus attack are: .exe; .com; .bat; and in the case of macro viruses, .doc. HTML files utilizing malicious javascript code can also contain and spread a virus.
You also cannot get a virus from simply viewing an email. The effects of a
virus can range from missing files to total system shutdown. Just remember: No matter the damage done to your file system, no physical damage is possible from a virus. The worst-case is you lose your data,
and have to re-format and re-install your operating system.
Trojans: A trojan is simply a file posing as another file. It may appear to be a game, screen saver or other legitimate program.
Then when activated, it may delete files, send out emails, or commit other varied, and unwanted acts. It can also set your computer up as a remote server under the author's control. Unlike a virus, a trojan is simply a program that when
activated performs a routine.
Worms: Worms are similar to viruses, except where a virus requires a host file to infect, a worm is a self-contained program. It can delete files, send emails and cause mischief much like a virus.
Worms are fast-spreading (take the Welchia Worm for instance) and many anti-virus programs have problems detecting and deleting them. Worms can also be deposited on your computer through what is known as "port scanning".
An infected computer, when connected to the Internet, will actively seek out other computers to infect. Most firewall programs use a method known as "port stealthing" to hide open ports from any malicious program or user
looking for a system vulnerability. Currently, worms are becoming more of a problem as they infect a greater number of computers than ever before.
Spyware or Adware: Spyware, or Adware are programs that install along with other, somewhat more legitimate programs. Once installed, they can wreak havoc on a user's computer. They can send
information from your computer back to their parent company. They can also download and install other programs in the background, without the user's permission or knowledge. Changing your Internet Explorer home page
and adding URLs to your favorites list is another by-product of spyware. While active, these programs will use a large amount of bandwidth, leading to very slow Internet connections. The number of pop-up ads will also
increase, to the point of even crashing your computer. The biggest purveyors of spy/adware currently are Kazaa, HotBar, SmileyCentral, My Search, Cool Web Search, Freeze.com and Gator (GAIN Network). These programs, and countless others will promise, even guarantee, that they
do not install any spyware or adware, when in fact, they do. Some are even brazen enough to advise you to scan your system with a spyware scanner! Any program offering to give you "cool tools" for free is more than likely going to install spy/adware
on your computer. So, as with anything on the Internet, be careful of what you download!
Whether your computer is infected with a virus, worm, trojan or spy/adware, I can repair it. Sometimes it is necessary to re-format and re-install your operating system to fully rid your system of a virus. If this becomes necessary, I can recover most,
if not all of your data and transfer it back to your computer after re-installing your operating system. If you are experiencing any of the problems above, or suspect you may have a virus, give me a call, we'll see what the
problem is, and get it repaired!
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