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Safety for kids

Virus And Anti-Virus FAQ

• Computer Virus - what is it?

  A relatively small amount of 'infectious' code that affects your computer. A virus generally  does something annoying or destructive to your computer. 
   

• Infectious you say?

  Viruses attach themselves to files, emails, or floppy disks. So, getting any of  files, emails, or floppy disks from your friends, colleagues or downloading could potentially introduce a virus to to computer.

   

• I don't like the sound of 'annoying or destructive'?

  Viruses can do most things that anyone operating a computer can do! It can introduce garbage into files, move files, delete files, send emails, etc. Depending on its type, it can attach itself to executable files and emails, thus propagating itself. Running or opening these files or emails will trigger the virus's actions. Furthermore, a virus can have a deeper level of access to the computer - for example the hard disk's boot sector.

• Depending on its type?

  Originally, viruses used to attach themselves to the 'outside' of a file and affected the boot sector of the hard disk. As operating systems and anti-virus software improved these viruses very less effective. Thus the 'macro virus' was born. Most applications have a useful functionality whereby users can define repeatative tasks as a macro. This macro is a set of - potentially powerful - instructions and is generally held within the file. Microsoft's Word and Excel applications appear to be the target of most macro viruses.

• Executable files?... More please.

Some files only hold only data but others known as 'executable files' are ones that you can run and normally have a '.exe' extension. Microsoft's Word and Excel are just two of many examples. If a virus attached itself to an executable, it could run every time the executable ran. So every time you ran 'Word' the virus would run. In contrast, it would be possible to infect a data file but propagating itself would be less effective.

• This boot sector business sounds serious.

Until recently, it would be quite normal that one would have to boot from a floppy disk. This means that the computer would get basic start-up instructions from the floppy disk. Now, if that 'boot floppy' was infected, then those start-up instructions could do something malicious. Further, viruses propagate themselves and so would copy themselves onto the hard drive's boot sector (an area not normally accessed by any user). When the PC is next booted normally, i.e. from the hard disk, the PC is setup for the virus to annoy, destroy and propagate. Any new floppy disks written by that PC will have the virus on them.

• What can I do to protect my PC and my data

  There are various things you can do to protect you PC and while some of these will cost you, others will be free:
  1. Suspicious emails (even from people you know)
  Delete suspicious emails without opening them.
  Email viruses are capable or sending new emails which contain the original virus. The damaging part of the email is mostly the attachment. This can be an executable or a macro script. So you mat well receive an email with a virus from someone you know without them having specifically sent you an email!
  2. Backup your data
  Back important files regularly. Think about the worst case scenario. If your PC's operating system, application software and data had to be re-installed, would you have all necessary files to return to a state before the virus struck? Also see our article 'When your PC Backup is not enough'.
  3. Downloading files
  Only download files from locations you are confident are genuine. Remember an email from a friend (actually sent 'from' your friend by a virus) might make you think the source is genuine when it is not.
  4. Saving your work
  Where possible save your work in a format that makes it difficult for viruses to propagate. As an example, Microsoft Word work can be saved in RTF (Rich Text Format). RTF does not support macros. Remembering that viruses can work via macros, if you or your company does not use macros, then save and ask for Word files in RTF format.
  5. Application settings
  Where possible, use the settings in you applications to help you. As an example, Microsoft Word has a security setting for macros. In the 2000 version, you will find this under the Tools | Macro | Security menu sequence. Set this to at least 'Medium'. Upon opening a document, if macros are discovered, the medium setting will prompt regarding enabling or disabling them. If you are not sure, you can always ask the person you got the file from.
  6. Install anti-virus software
  For scanning incoming and outgoing emails, floppy disks, hard drives, and any source via which new data can enter you computer. 
  Ensure you keep the software updated as the latest viruses are the ones your PC is most at risk from.
  Schedule a regular scan of your PC.
  Scan any new floppies, zip disks, etc
  

• Where can I get some anti-virus software and more information?

  You can get a list of anti-virus software including freebies and trail versions.
  
  Click here for a list plus plenty of other useful information.

   

• Other software:
     Download.com
     TheFreeSite.com
     Tucows.com

  Try before you buy:
  
  AVG
  Sophos
  Norton
  McAfee
  

Good luck, and stay safe