{"id":1014,"date":"2018-06-04T07:08:55","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T14:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterdefend.com\/?p=1014"},"modified":"2019-03-07T09:49:40","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T17:49:40","slug":"an-in-depth-guide-to-antivirus-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterdefend.com\/an-in-depth-guide-to-antivirus-software\/","title":{"rendered":"An In-Depth Guide to Antivirus Software"},"content":{"rendered":"
Let’s face it, the world is a scary place. We’re constantly being bombarded with the latest horrifying statistic or news story. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, we all have to admit that we’re waiting for the next terrorist attack or flesh-eating bacteria threat to hit the front page.<\/span><\/p>\n But it’s not just what’s going on out in the world that we have to fear. It’s also what’s happening in our own homes. Every single day, we open ourselves up to an underworld full of scammers with malicious intent.<\/span><\/p>\n We’re talking about logging onto the Internet with a computer or mobile device. Doesn’t seem like a scary thing, right? We’ve all become so dependent on online content that surfing the Web has become as natural as breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, not everyone is on the Internet to shop or pay their bills. There are people that work around the clock to come up with ways to steal your personal information, create programs that hijack your computer, or simply want to ruin your day by killing your laptop.<\/span><\/p>\n Computer viruses are a real threat that can strike at any time. It\u2019s not a matter of if you\u2019ll get a computer virus but when it will happen. We\u2019re here to help you stay safe online by going over the causes of a computer virus and how you can prevent becoming infected by one. <\/span><\/p>\n Computer viruses are a type of malware (malicious software) that can simply annoy or utterly destroy. It all depends on the intent of the programmer and their end goal. Much like the flu, a computer virus can spread quickly, as well as easily replicate itself.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This means computer viruses are capable of copying themselves across the files and networks or your computer. And it\u2019s all done without your consent or even knowledge, in some cases. To put it simply, a computer virus is an incredibly contagious program with sinister intentions. <\/span><\/p>\n Computer viruses work by attaching themselves to an otherwise legitimate program or document. This allows a virus to execute the malicious code it\u2019s carrying. It can then control the way a computer operates and be spread to other devices on a connected network, corrupting data and harming systems as it goes.<\/span><\/p>\n After a computer virus has successfully attached itself to a document, file, or program, it sits and waits to execute its code on the infected device. That\u2019s because a computer virus can\u2019t work until the source of contamination has been run by you.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s scary to think there could be a virus lying in wait on your computer right now. But it\u2019s true and you might not have a single clue there\u2019s something wrong. That\u2019s how computer viruses silently attack and infect your system. And once the virus has been let loose, it can quickly spread to other computers on your network.<\/span><\/p>\n While some computer viruses are meant as just a practical joke of sorts, many others can have profoundly damaging effects. A computer virus can steal or erase your private data, destroy your hard drive, corrupt your files, and even cause financial ruin by giving identity thieves access to your banking info.<\/span><\/p>\n In today\u2019s digital world, contracting a computer virus is easier than you might think. They can be spread through instant messages or email attachments. You can get a virus from a file download or a link posted on a social media platform. Even your mobile devices can be infected by malware.<\/span><\/p>\n Computer viruses have become so common that it\u2019s hard to know how to prevent spreading them. Your first step should be to exercise caution and common sense when browsing the Internet. This is especially true when it comes to downloads and attachments.<\/span><\/p>\n You should never open or save any content that doesn\u2019t come from a trusted source. Any link you click needs to lead you somewhere that doesn\u2019t appear to have malicious intent. Trust your gut and stay away from anything that looks shady out there in cyberspace.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How initial computer virus infections spread:<\/span><\/p>\n Once a computer or mobile device has become infected with a virus, it can spread like wildfire through any other devices connected to a shared network, whether at home or work. This means you need to be extra cautious when it comes to connecting to Wi-Fi networks.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried that you may have contracted a computer virus by accident, there are some signs you should look out for to determine your risk. Just keep in mind that different viruses and malware types will present themselves in a variety of ways.<\/span><\/p>\n These are the most common signs of a computer virus:<\/span><\/p>\n If you notice any of these computer virus symptoms on your device, you should power it down immediately and avoid further use until you can diagnose and address the issue. We\u2019ll go over how to do that later on in the article. So, don\u2019t panic just yet!<\/span><\/p>\n Although malware is a constantly changing digital threat, there are some common computer virus types that you should know about to stay safe online. The following virus types seem to pose the biggest issues for computer users from around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n Resident Virus<\/b>: This type of virus lives in the RAM of your computer and can lead to the corruption of your entire system. <\/span><\/p>\n Multipartite Virus<\/b>: Computer viruses of this type infect the boot sectors of devices and perform unsanctioned actions in total silence. <\/span><\/p>\n Direct Action Virus<\/b>: These viruses attack specific file types and have the goal of replicating themselves across your entire operating system.<\/span><\/p>\n Overwrite Virus:<\/b> As the name suggests, this type of computer virus takes control and overwrites files on your device, destroying data that was already there as it goes.<\/span><\/p>\n Web Script Virus<\/b>: This virus is usually contracted by clicking on a link that then hijacks your online activity, driving you to a web page that contains downloads full of malicious coding.<\/span><\/p>\n Directory Virus<\/b>: After initial infection, this type of virus changes the path of files in your computer\u2019s directory. This can make it difficult to find and may even cause the destruction of files or even whole programs.<\/span><\/p>\n Polymorphic Virus<\/b>: This computer virus has encryption coding that forces it to change each time it infects another operating system. That morphing ability can make these viruses very hard to detect and remove.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that you know the most common types of computer viruses, you should also familiarize yourself with other forms of malware that can put your device and online security at risk. There are types of malware out there that can damage your computer or even steal your information.<\/span><\/p>\n Trojan Horses<\/b>: This type of malware (malicious software) works by pretending to be a legitimate program long enough to get you to install it on your computer. Once it\u2019s on your device, it becomes an open doorway for infection and allows other malware past the gate.<\/span><\/p>\n Spyware<\/b>: This type of malware is designed to silently spy on you when you use your computer and collect your personal data. Spyware programmers have the goal of stealing your credit card information, usernames and passwords, or even your social security or banking information.<\/span><\/p>\n Computer Worms<\/b>: This form of malware targets not just your computer but the entire network where it resides. Computer worms travel from device to device, causing damage to files and systems as they travel.<\/span><\/p>\n Adware<\/b>: Although this type of malware is seen as more of a nuisance than a true danger, it can still open you up to security vulnerabilities. Spyware works by forcing advertisements onto your operating system and even hijacking your browser to display specific content, instead of what you were searching for online.<\/span><\/p>\n Ransomware<\/b>: This form of malware works by infecting your computer and locking the entire system down from the inside out. Once your device has been taken hostage by the hacker, you will have to pay a ransom to get it unlocked and have the virus removed from your machine. Of course, many times the hacker disappears once the ransom has been paid, and you\u2019re left with a very expensive paperweight, instead of a personal computer.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re starting to worry about computer viruses or other types of malware infecting your device, you\u2019re far from alone. Many individuals and businesses have had to deal with the devastating effects of a computer virus. But luckily, there are some ways to help you protect your investment and privacy.<\/span><\/p>\n With the right antivirus program, you can easily ward off malware and viruses, and be able to browse online without fear of hackers or digital infections. Antivirus software was created to block malicious programs from attacking your devices and compromising your private data.<\/span><\/p>\n While the function of antivirus software is to prevent infection in the first place, the best antivirus programs also give you a way to quickly and safely quarantine and remove malware and viruses from your computer once they are discovered.<\/span><\/p>\n Top-rated antivirus software should perform these essential functions:<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is a Computer Virus?<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Does a Computer Virus Attack?<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Do Computer Viruses Spread?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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What Are the Signs of a Computer Virus?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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What Are Common Types of Computer Viruses?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is Antivirus Software?<\/span><\/h2>\n