Computer viruses and other variations of malware can be a extreme ache in the rear end. The minor infections are typically simple to get rid of for even the most beginner of pc users. A simple update and scan with the latest virus removal program usually does the trick. In spite of this, every now and then, a programmer crafts up a virus that even the most "anti mess up my cumputer" infected user feels the need to take off his or her hat, out of respect for the creator of such a maliciously coded work of art. We of course wish to throttle the jerk as well... but wow! We really did not see that one coming!
This distinct virus enters into your cyber system with out setting off a single alarm, and then like a snake in the grass, it silently lies there... and waits. This particular virus doesn't want to be detected and knows exactly what not to do. It has a plan and no matter what you do, it's got you by the bits.
So, like many a poor Schmo, you go about your everyday computing rituals with out even the slightest clue that your very sanity is about to be put to the ultimate test. There is a question that we all have to ask ourselves at least once in our computing lifetime; Will the pc stay perched upon our desktop, or will it have to find a new home somewhere out on the front lawn?
Most of the time these viruses result in you losing everything that you had saved on your hard drive. You are forced to reformat and begin all over again with your default manufacturing settings, losing every thing that you didn't have backed up. The upside to this ill destined scenario (as many of us know all too well),
is that your computer will now run a lot quicker with your little over 300 gigabytes of uninhibited space :)
Believe it or not, 99.9% of viruses can be avoided no matter how skilled the virus programmer. Pc viruses, worms, spyware, trojan horses, most rootkits, crappy adware, scareware, crimeware, and other computer programs or malicious code can all be blocked long before they ever begin to take hold and take over your loved pc. The trick to never getting infected is pre-emptive protection..
In order for a virus to settle down and name your hard drive its new habitat, you have to actually give it access. Giving access doesn't necessarily imply that youre going to do it intentionally. A lot of times access is established through a poorly written program that has what's called a vulnerability or "security hole." I won't go into the particulars but picture if you will a house that's been perfectly built. It has the doors, windows, walls, floors and a roof. The home represents your application. Now picture that the building contractor forgot to put a security device on just one of the many doors. You're open to anybody that thinks to try the knob, right? The equivalent goes for your computer programs. If the virus programmer knows of the security hole riddled within your computer software, then he readily writes some sort of malicious code that's intended to compromise that softwares weakness. Voila! They are in, and you are so mad you could spit.
In order to keep your computer from ever being compromised by one of these nasty little bugs, you're going to need a number of programs that will work together "synergistically" as both your computers main line of defense AND as your computers pro active real-time line of protection. If at some instant you have heard that there is a special computer software that can do it all, oh ye beware! Don't believe the hype. There's no such program and if there was, every hacker would be up till the wee hours of the morning working diligently day and night to find the programs weak spot... and believe me; each and every single program that has ever been created has a weakness SOMEWHERE! Because just as sure as a software program can be coded, it can also be decoded and reverse engineered. It's only a matter of time before the security blip is found and then exploited. So just keep in mind, any program can be hacked, even your antivirus application... wait, let me rephrase that, ESPECIALLY your antivirus software program.
It's really just a matter of having the better Virus Kung Fu.
As I said, there are a number of programs and firmware needed to guarantee your pc's ultimate security. Below I have created a short list. I'm going to go over every item and then clarify why it's needed.
1. A Non-Routable IP Address - Contrary to belief, your firewall just isn't always your primary line of defense. If you have a Non-Routable IP Address then you halt anybody from the outside world from ever getting access to your computer . In order for me to give an explanation for what this is and how it works we would have to go into some serious detail, so in its place, just do a search on Google for "Non-Routable IP Address so that you can familiarize your self with the idea. This is the Best first line of protection!
2. A Firewall - Your firewall is your computer systems "2nd" line of protection if you've set up a Non-Routable IP Address. Your firewall is essentially a communications screener. It's similar to the concept of a tavern bouncer. The bouncer (firewall) asks for an ID at the front door (your router). He then lets the persons (network communications) that are in compliance with the regulations in, and keeps those that are in conflict with the laws, out.
3. Virus Protection - Virus protection is your "3rd" line of defense. If by some means all else has failed then you require a good SET of virus protection software programs operating so that it can hopefully catch whatever has smashed through your barriers. Notice that I said SET. The reason that you need more than one virus protection program is because there Isn't one "single" virus protection software program thats designed to "get'em all". You wouldn't depend on your front airbag in a rear end accident would you? No, and the same goes for virus protection software programs. Some are superior at detecting certain viruses and malware then others but NONE of them are able to do a fantastic job of detecting them completely. And let's not disregard updating your virus protection DAILY. I have all of mine set to mechanically update and scan in the early morning hours while I'm sound asleep. This way I am continually up to date with the latest virus definitions and I am always scanned to ensure that something hasn't gotten through my first 2 lines of security.
4. Anti Adware - Adware is virtually no better than a virus and is quite often quite often the catalyst for being infected BY a virus. The majority of the time adware is introduced in the form of a software package add-on as a free gift. As an example; let's say that you've obtained a software program for creating greeting cards. At some stage in the greeting card set up you may be asked if you would also like to install a recommended program that is intended to assist you find your favourite online films with the click of your mouse! Add-on computer programs like these are possibly nothing more than adware that's been designed to open a security hole for something more sinister to come through your Internet connection. Before you know it you have got pop up after pop up telling you that your pc is infected and you need to use a free virus scan to see what the problem is so that you can buy a software program to get rid of the virus. It is viral marketing at its very best, and believe it or not, you advised your pc that it was okay to invite it in considering you gave the adware permission to install itself onto your machine... sneaky little buggers.
5. The Community - At times there just isn't any hope left. Your firewall has failed. You forgot to update your virus protection and anti adware and now you are infected with a virus that has learned some major Kung Fu so your workstation keeps crashing and the BSD (Blue Screen of Death) has now become your new favorite desktop background. In times like these you have 4 possible choices. You can either select:
A. Throw it off your balcony.
B. Take it to a techy fix like Geek Squad. (That will cost you a little $mulah and then there is no guarantee that you'll be able to even get your files back)
c. You reformat and lose everything on your hard drive.
And then there is D. Most people never get to D because they've already done either A, B or C. D ought to in fact be A. It should be the first thing you do when all else has failed because every now and then there is still hope. There are a wide variety of techy sites with persons that are more than willing to help you with your crazy, virus infected computer difficulties... and they're free of charge. The site that I recommend above ALL OTHERS, is definitely bleepingcomputers.com. These guys will walk you through, step by step until your personal computer has either been brought back from the dead, or tossed out the window. If at all possible they are going to make sure that everything is cleaned and in virus free, working order. Your sanity will be restored and you'll take some free time to go dye those grey hairs back to their natural color.
You could say that I am a "computer virus removal specialist" of some kind . Ive been working with computers since back in the early days of DOS when everything was done one line at a time and Load Runner was all the rage. Today I operate a publication known as The VirusKungfu Gazette where I keep my small but healthy following of a little over 2,000 subscribers informed about all the things viral that are worth mentioning. Recently I started a fun little endeavor where I eagerly seek out some type of (new or old) malicious code that has been wreaking havoc on computer users. I do this twice a month for the sole intention of installing the viral load onto one of my testing machines so that I can establish which Virus Kung Fu needs to be used to get rid of that particular type of malware. Once Ive shown that my Virus Kung Fu is more potent... I send out the viral report to all of my subscribers that includes symptoms, names, viral locations and most importantly, step by step techniques on how to get rid of it once someone's been infected.
If you would like to be kept up to date with all the current reports in relation to; the most reliable virus protection software to use (security that even the most renowned Hackers use for themselves); tips and tricks used to get rid of even the nastiest infections; defending yourself from even the craftiest online threats and securing your personal computer to assure that the good stays in - and the bad stays out, then visit our site at
http://viruskungfu.com for more details.
