What's a Computer Virus

[mysticgirl]

I know this sounds funny but I'm not a computer person at all,
so, can't blame me if I don't know what's a virus right

I know it's something that causes your computer to malfunction, much like normal virus affecting humans, but what's a computer virus specifically?

how do I avoid from getting it?
How would I even know if I have it?
Besides getting the technicians to help, coz I don't have a technician at home :P

[ramamaru]

Hi mystic,

i too no a few abt these things...

but,as u no,a virus is a potentially-unwanted program directed to ur computer harming it and ur files....

similarly,u hav trojans which ,according to Windows definition, are programs that masquerade as another common program in an attempt to receive information. An example of a Trojan horse is a program that behaves like a system logon to retrieve user names and password information that the writers of the Trojan horse can later use to break into the system.

all u nid 2 do it is use a continuosly updated anti-virus software.
In addition u may also wannav an anti-spyware to check cyber criminals peeking into ur computer to steal confidential infos. and ur passwords too.

Read letter from such sites as "techrepublic.com" and subscribe to them for free to get updated info on how to protect ur system to the maximum..

Thatz it.....Bye...

Luk after ur computer's helth.............

[cool]

The MOST common way you can get a virus on your computer is to use Microsoft Outlook.

Outlook have active x that can run virus programs automatically when you download your mail without you ever knowing it. The surest way to reduce your chances of being 'mailed' a virus is to use Eudora as your email software.

Also, these are things to do:

1. Avoid clicking on any attachments on emails unless you know ahead of time that your friends are sending you stuff. Even mails that apparently comes from your friend, may be a virus that mailed itself off from your friend's computer. Basically DO NOT CLICK ON ANY ATTACHMENTS!

2. Never use Outlook

3. Install an anti virus software such as mc afee or norton.

There, you're done.

Note: Using IE can also gets your pc infected with viruses.

[sanuanu]

Thanks for the information :D about trozans. Can you also let us know what exactly a spyware does. Basicaly I had used Internet without using antivirus. What happened that on opening My Computer it started asking for the connection. Anyways it opened My computer after cacelling the dialogue box. Again the homepage was hacked by that virus. Every time i tried to open Internet a different home page was displayed.
Was my system infected with Spyware or trozans or what? Can you please tell me how do I protect my registry setting from them if already infected.
I now use Trend Micro as antivirus.