Security of your Computer : Computer Virus and Antivirus

We have already learnt many things about the computer virus. In spite of that, we should learn more keeping in mind the security of our computer. It harms the computer As the virus infects the human body, the computer virus infects the computer. The full form of 'VIRUS' is 'Vital Information and Resources Under Siege' which indicates taking control of important information or damaging something. It was named by Professor Fred Cohen, renowned researcher of University of New Haven. Virus is a kind of software that attacks data and information, and it has the power to increase its number. When a virus enters the computer, it gradually increases in number and attacks the data stored there, and finally makes the computer unusable after infecting the entire device. For example, booting viruses attack the booting sector of a hard disk. Stone, Vienna, CIH, Folder, Trojan horse, etc. are some most familiar viruses.

If the ICT device is somehow infected with a virus, it gradually increases in number. If a virus infected file enters a virus free computer or ICT device through CD, pen drive or any other device. The virus occupied the memory. It stays there even after the computer is turned off. Installation of a virus-infected programme or software also infects the ICT device in the same way. In this way, a virus free computer or ICT device is infected with a virus. The same thing happens when a virus infected programme or a software is run.

In this way, the virus occupying the memory, attacks other files and programmes. Some viruses instantly infect all the existing files and programmes, and some viruses infect only new programmes and files. Thus, the virus deletes files and corrupts programmes, and causes serious damage to the machine. In this way, a virus free computer is gradually infected with virus, and it may spread to other computers through the CDs used in the infected machine, hard disk and the Internet.

The symptoms given below indicate that the computer and ICT devices reinfected by a virus.

• Opening a file and programme takes longer than the usual time;

• The memory has little space, leading to a slow performance of the computer;

• Showing unexpected messages incompatible with the works while running the computer;

• Installation of a programme takes longer than the usual time;

• The running files take more space;

• The machine shuts down during booting or working time;

• The names of the folders are replaced with cryptic names;

• A virus can cause the following damages:

• It can erase any saved data or file;

• It can corrupt data;

• Abrupt and unexpected messages can be viewed while working in computer;

• The display of computer monitor can be corrupted;

• The entire system can be slowed down;

What can we do to get rid of this situation? Here comes the question of antivirus. Anti-virus can relieve us from this problem. Antivirus is the preventive of computer virus. If the system is infected with virus, it should be wiped out. Antivirus utility is forced to prevent virus infection. At first, these

utilities find similarities with the samples of viruses in infected computers. The antivirus software by using its experience repairs the original programmes. An effective antivirus can wipe out hundreds of viruses. When a new virus comes into being, update the antivirus to enhance its power and effectiveness. As a result, it can destroy new virus. Now, there are a lot of anti viruses that can

identify, prevent, and wipe out virus. Nowadays, antivirus software remains attached with every Operating System Software. Besides, the existing anti viruses destroy the viruses before the attack or warn the users. Therefore, the anti-virus software developed nowadays is more effective than the one used in the past. So, we should keep the antivirus updated. Now, we can download antivirus software free of cost from the Internet to get rid of virus-attack, and after installing it, we can ensure the security of the devices. The names of some trustworthy antivirus are given below: • AVG antivirus software (Downloading Website: www.avg.com) • Avira antivirus software (Downloading Website:www.avira.com) • Avast antivirus software (Downloading Website:www.avast.com).

We can follow the steps mentioned below to prevent our ICT device from virus attack:

1. CDs, pen drives, memory cards etc. used in other computers should be cleaned and made virus-free before using in your own computer

2. Software used in other computers should be virus free before using in your own computer;

3. Any file copied from other computers needs to be cleaned by antivirus software before you use it in your computer;

4. Be careful when you install a piece of software in your compute from the internet. If the downloaded software contain any virus, that may infect your virus free computer;

5. Do not install any software used in other computer or device;

6. Always keep updated antivirus software in your computer so that prior warning message can be received when a virus starts attacking the computer. As a result, the computer may be disinfected right away following the recommended process;

7. Data or files of everyday should be saved in different disk or pen drive as a back up, but the disk or pen drive must be virus free;

8. Be careful in exchanging emails. Don't open any email of a doubtful source. If you open it, make it virus free before opening;

9. Be very careful and check virus before using game files;