How to prevent computer viruses
A computer virus is a type of malicious code or program that, when executed, replicates itself by inserting its own code into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive. Once a virus infects a computer, it can spread to other computers connected to that network. Viruses are often spread by email attachments or by downloading infected files from the internet.
Most viruses are relatively harmless and only cause minor annoyance. However, some viruses can cause major damage to your computer, delete important files, or even steal your personal information. It’s important to have a good antivirus program installed on your computer and to keep it updated.
There are also a few simple steps you can take to help prevent your computer from becoming infected with a virus:
Never open email attachments from unknown or untrusted sources.
Don’t download files from websites you don’t trust.
Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Install and use a reputable antivirus program.
Don’t click on links in email messages or instant messages from people you don’t know.
If you do click on a link, make sure you know where it’s going to take you before you click it.
Be careful about what you download from social networking sites.
Never give out personal information (including your name, address, phone number, or email address) to people you don’t know.
If you receive an email message that looks like it’s from your bank, credit card company, or another organization you do business with, don’t reply to it with your personal information. It could be a “phishing” scam designed to steal your information. Instead, contact the organization directly to inquire about the email.
Consider using a desktop firewall to help protect your computer from attacks.
Make sure you have a backup of your important files in case you need to restore them after a virus attack..Original Article
The most dangerous computer virus of all time
In the early days of computing, viruses were mostly harmless fun. They might display a message on your screen or cause your computer to beep incessantly, but they weren’t capable of doing any serious damage. However, as computers have become more sophisticated, so have viruses. Nowadays, there are viruses that can completely disable your computer, steal your personal information, or even delete all of the files on your hard drive.
The most dangerous computer virus of all time is the Love Bug virus, also known as the ILOVEYOU virus. This virus was first released in May 2000 and quickly spread around the world, causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. The Love Bug virus was a particularly destructive piece of malware because it replicated itself and attached itself to email messages. When someone opened an email that contained the virus, the virus would automatically send itself to everyone in that person’s address book. As a result, the virus quickly spread to millions of computers.
What made the Love Bug virus so dangerous was its payload. Once a computer was infected with the virus, the virus would overwrite key system files, rendering the computer unusable. In addition, the virus would delete any files that contained the following strings: *.vbs, *.vbe, *.js, *.jse, *.css, *.wsh, *.sct, *.hta. As a result, many people lost important personal files, such as family photos and financial documents.
The Love Bug virus was created by a Filipino programmer named Onel de Guzman. Guzman has said that he did not intend for the virus to cause so much damage and that he was only trying to prove a point about computer security. Nevertheless, the Love Bug virus was a wake-up call for the need for better security measures. In the years since the release of the Love Bug virus, there have been many other destructive viruses, but none have caused as much damage as the Love Bug virus.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about most dangerous computer virus. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.