{"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

What is a Computer Virus?<\/span><\/h2>\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

\"computer<\/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

How Does a Computer Virus Attack?<\/span><\/h2>\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

How Do Computer Viruses Spread?<\/span><\/h2>\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

\"do<\/p>\n

How initial computer virus infections spread:<\/span><\/p>\n