Computer viruses usually spread in one or three ways: from removable media; from downloads of the internet and email attachments. These precautions will minimize the risk of infecting your computer as well as keep from spreading viruses onto others.
Viruses can be transmitted via email attachments ,so monitor your in-box for suspicious messages .if you do not know the person who sent you a message ,don’t open any attachment that came with it.
You can’t get viruses from simply opening an email, message, but your email client may be configured to automatically open attachments, in which case you should disable that feature .Be especially aware of attachments with the suffixes .axe or .COM. If activate this type of virus, it can attack executable files (Like windows system files), overwrite code, and cause irrevocable damage.
Beyond keeping a watchful eye on your incoming email, you should also be careful about using removable media, especially from unknown sources .Floppy disks ,Zip disks memory cards and CD-ROMS can also transmit viruses.
Preventive measures
Without a doubt, the best way you can protect yourself against viruses is to install licensed antivirus software. These utilities will scan for many types of viruses and keep watch over your system files, boot files and data files.
Set your antivirus program to run a basic startup scan every time you turn on your computer and a full system scan every few weeks. Most antivirus utilities let you either set an automatic schedule for a full scan or do it manually. If the utility finds a virus, it alerts you and tries to disinfect, you’ll probably have to delete it. If you are at office and find some difficulty with this configuration, you ask your system administrator to help you.
It’s also important to download updates to your virus software so that it will recognise and protect you against the latest viruses. Keeping your antivirus software up-to-date greatly reduces the chances that you’ll have to delete any infected files.
Practically everyone with a computer has heard of computer viruses, but not everyone knows exactly what they are or how viruses affect their computer. Viruses can be harmful, but it’s also important to understand the role you play in propagating them. Viruses generally do not invade a computer without user action. In other words, you set the virus loose on your own computer by opening infected programs or files.
The Writer is an IT Consultant
kjoanhope@gmail.com
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