HOW PROTECTED ARE YOU AGAINST COMPUTER THREATS?

Are you aware of the computer threats spreading on the internet, lets get to know them....

Virus,  is a small unassuming  program that can copy itself . They are simple but developed in a higher degree of complexity which is enough to gain access to an unprotected personal computer. They are in a form of an executable code, that can self replicate and spread from one computer to another without the knowledge of the user. Most of them cannot run on its own and need to have some host program which they are a part that when executed, they will be activated. It can be carried out by removable media drives such as floppy, usb drive, cd, dvd or a memory card or files that are downloaded in the internet. A network computer can also brought virus to another computer within the network. Since the time of the ARPANET, (this is before the internet was introduced) in the early 70's, Bob Thomas of the BBN Technologies had already experimented on a self replicating program called Creeper Virus. It gained access through the ARPANET and copy itself to the remote system and shows the message  "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!"

Worms - are programs that spreads from a computer to another computer on a network without getting other programs modified. They can run without the help of a host program. Worms may have portions of themselves running on different computers.

Trojans/Trojan horses - are programs that seems to have one function but actually perform another functions. They looks almost the same as the program that a user wishes to run, it may be a game, word editor or a spreadsheet. Trojans appear to do what the user wants but at the same time doing something else unrelated to its purpose without the user's knowledge.

Dropper - they are programs that is neither a virus nor it is infected by a virus but when executed it installs a virus into the file, the memory or into the disk. They have been used to be a carrier of a virus so as not to be detected by an anti virus scanners.


Malicious ware or Malwares/ Spywares - are programs that enters the system while surfing the internet without the users informed consent.. It collects data and information inside the users computer and returns to the creator while the user is still logged on. Sometimes, spywares such as keyloggers are installed by the administrator of a shared, public or corporate computers to discreetly monitor the user. They are sometimes disguised as genuine software that comes from official sites.
 
All of this can be prevented by installing anti virus softwares and by updating and scanning regularly. To date, there are no clear count of viruses. Experts said there are more than 100,000 of them and new variants of viruses and malwares were created almost daily at the rate of 1 every 2 hours. Run anti malware programs always and don't forget to activate your firewalls. Don't just open or click any e-mail attachments sent to you specially when the source is unknown. Lastly, for your security, don't ever keep personal informations such as bank account numbers, credit card details, pin numbers and the likes on your computer.