Virus Safety and You!
Sept 13, 2016 19:55:31 GMT
via mobile
best75, Napoleon Bonaparte, and 4 more like this
Post by Bismarck Jr on Sept 13, 2016 19:55:31 GMT
Thats a terrible title. Anyways this is work in progress and I'll add to it as time goes on.
To begin our discussion on a virus we first have to isolate what a virus is in the first place. Most people confuse malware with a virus so I will set the difference. Malware is any piece of software that causes harm to a computer with malicous intent, however a virus is a certain type of malware.
Then what exactly is a virus? Well it is a piece of malware that can spread to other files in your system. For instance lets have File X be without a virus. The operator of this system installs something unintentionally called File Y, likely through opening an email. When he installs it, File Y infects File X with the virus and spreads this way to other files.
What other types of malware are there then? There are a few, however the important ones are Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and a Remote Access Virus, Spyware, and Adware. I will go over them.
The Trojan usually acts as something that carries a piece of malware. However, technically all it is would be a piece of software that pretends to be another. Rather, most Trojans are vessels to carry another piece of malware as previously stated. A Trojan carries in its files a malignant software such as a worm, and when it activates it releases the malware. For example, lets make FileX.exe be an executable Trojan file disguised as a mod for a video game. The operator of the computer installs it and gets a runtime wizard when he runs it like many mods do, so far so good. However when he reaches the end of the Wizard and the software is installed, rather than installing a mod it releases malware into the computer. This is the current most popular way of distributing malicous software and we've even had a few scares here on the forum from the mods we got from the Chinese forums.
What about a Worm? Well, worms are very complicated to make or very simple to make. A worn is a piece of malware that can replicate on its own and is usually either sent via email or Trojan. Worms are special because they can often send emails without you knowing and will often send themselves to your entire contacts list if you use an installed email instead of one online. How does a worm affect a PC? A worm will usually replicate itself as much as possible, which will fill your hard drive, waste space, and make your PC run very slowly.
Remote Access Viruses are something everyone should know about. They're essentially what every malware aspires to be Instead of hurting your computer, it literaly takes it over so that the virus' operator can control your PC entirely from a distance. Not much else to be said on them but please be careful.
Spyware is something I am certain you have on your PC. It's unavoidable. Even Google records your information, and Google Chrome is considered spyware in the grand scheme of things. Whether or not you believe spyware is malware or not is subjective. Essentialy what spyware is, is a secret piece of software you don't even know is installed and running. It records all of your information and everything you do, and sells it to someone like an advertising company. However, this process will slow your computer down, now as much as a worm but is still significant.
Adware is another interesting threat. All it does is show you ads. This might not seem too bad at first but lets think for a second, firstly it will slow down your PC by loading ads, secondly it will obstruct your view. Imagine your in a really epic raid in World of Warcraft and your in euphoria from the experience, when all the sudden its the final enemy in the raid. Your ready to win and take your sweet sweet raid loot when suddenly a wild ad appears! It is in the way and you can't find a way to get rid of it, and so you die and lose the raid. No fun right? That will also happen if your watching a movie, reading, etc. Just anytime your doing something: BAM! AD! Its terrible. Often times, a clever programmer will combine Adware with Spyware for the best income. So yeah, he's making money off your misery. If you're getting alot of ads outta no where, scan your system and look for applications to remove that may be concerning.
How can I defend myself if I am infected? Its actually a simple process. Perform a scan with your Antivirus. I suggest AVG, Malwarebytes, and Microsoft's stock AV. If it comes up saying anything is infected, delete it IMMEDIATELY. Quarantine doesn't have any uses that are worth the risk. This isn't the best solution at some times though. Some pieces of malware are very crafty, in that they actually manipulate your antivirus to make it seem lieke it isn't a malicous software, if this happens, uninstall all recently downloaded files. If this problem persists, you may have to wipe your hard drive but you should consult with a higher level professional (I am only an Associate in Internet Technology) and see what they think.
To begin our discussion on a virus we first have to isolate what a virus is in the first place. Most people confuse malware with a virus so I will set the difference. Malware is any piece of software that causes harm to a computer with malicous intent, however a virus is a certain type of malware.
Then what exactly is a virus? Well it is a piece of malware that can spread to other files in your system. For instance lets have File X be without a virus. The operator of this system installs something unintentionally called File Y, likely through opening an email. When he installs it, File Y infects File X with the virus and spreads this way to other files.
What other types of malware are there then? There are a few, however the important ones are Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and a Remote Access Virus, Spyware, and Adware. I will go over them.
The Trojan usually acts as something that carries a piece of malware. However, technically all it is would be a piece of software that pretends to be another. Rather, most Trojans are vessels to carry another piece of malware as previously stated. A Trojan carries in its files a malignant software such as a worm, and when it activates it releases the malware. For example, lets make FileX.exe be an executable Trojan file disguised as a mod for a video game. The operator of the computer installs it and gets a runtime wizard when he runs it like many mods do, so far so good. However when he reaches the end of the Wizard and the software is installed, rather than installing a mod it releases malware into the computer. This is the current most popular way of distributing malicous software and we've even had a few scares here on the forum from the mods we got from the Chinese forums.
What about a Worm? Well, worms are very complicated to make or very simple to make. A worn is a piece of malware that can replicate on its own and is usually either sent via email or Trojan. Worms are special because they can often send emails without you knowing and will often send themselves to your entire contacts list if you use an installed email instead of one online. How does a worm affect a PC? A worm will usually replicate itself as much as possible, which will fill your hard drive, waste space, and make your PC run very slowly.
Remote Access Viruses are something everyone should know about. They're essentially what every malware aspires to be Instead of hurting your computer, it literaly takes it over so that the virus' operator can control your PC entirely from a distance. Not much else to be said on them but please be careful.
Spyware is something I am certain you have on your PC. It's unavoidable. Even Google records your information, and Google Chrome is considered spyware in the grand scheme of things. Whether or not you believe spyware is malware or not is subjective. Essentialy what spyware is, is a secret piece of software you don't even know is installed and running. It records all of your information and everything you do, and sells it to someone like an advertising company. However, this process will slow your computer down, now as much as a worm but is still significant.
Adware is another interesting threat. All it does is show you ads. This might not seem too bad at first but lets think for a second, firstly it will slow down your PC by loading ads, secondly it will obstruct your view. Imagine your in a really epic raid in World of Warcraft and your in euphoria from the experience, when all the sudden its the final enemy in the raid. Your ready to win and take your sweet sweet raid loot when suddenly a wild ad appears! It is in the way and you can't find a way to get rid of it, and so you die and lose the raid. No fun right? That will also happen if your watching a movie, reading, etc. Just anytime your doing something: BAM! AD! Its terrible. Often times, a clever programmer will combine Adware with Spyware for the best income. So yeah, he's making money off your misery. If you're getting alot of ads outta no where, scan your system and look for applications to remove that may be concerning.
How can I defend myself if I am infected? Its actually a simple process. Perform a scan with your Antivirus. I suggest AVG, Malwarebytes, and Microsoft's stock AV. If it comes up saying anything is infected, delete it IMMEDIATELY. Quarantine doesn't have any uses that are worth the risk. This isn't the best solution at some times though. Some pieces of malware are very crafty, in that they actually manipulate your antivirus to make it seem lieke it isn't a malicous software, if this happens, uninstall all recently downloaded files. If this problem persists, you may have to wipe your hard drive but you should consult with a higher level professional (I am only an Associate in Internet Technology) and see what they think.
