Computer Virus 101

You’ve probably heard a lot about computer viruses and the need for antivirus software. But what exactly IS a computer virus? If you’re not a computer technician, you in all likelihood realize that a computer virus is bad, but you may not be sure exactly why. There’s nothing wrong with that, but in case you’re curious, here’s a little more info on the computer virus.

Is a Computer Virus Anything like the Viruses that Make us Sick?

Yes and no. There is no physical relationship between computer viruses and live viruses. In other words, you can’t “catch” one from your computer, or get your computer sick if you cough on it. However, both live viruses and computer viruses function in the same way. They invade your system and confuse your internal properties so that things don’t work the way they are supposed to. If unchecked, both types of viruses multiply and spread, resulting in more damage to your system and any system the virus comes into contact with.

But What IS a Computer Virus, Exactly?

A computer virus is an executable program designed to make your computer do something you don’t necessarily want it to do. Part of the program involves replicating the virus to spread to other computers. In other words, you may receive a virus and execute it, usually because you are deceived into believing the executable file is something else, something useful. The virus then runs its program, which may include spoofing your email and sending copies of the virus to your friends under your name. They in turn, believing the file is safe since it came from you, execute the file and the infection spreads.

What Can Be Done About Computer Viruses?

The best thing to do is not to execute any files unless you are 99% sure where it came from. Failing that, you’ll want to have anti-virus software on hand to detect and remove viruses. The best anti-virus programs, like CyberDefender, have a two-pronged approach to viruses. They have a feature which detects potential viruses as soon as they reach your computer, before they are executed, and they are also able to quarantine and destroy some viruses after they have been executed. It is always better to catch a virus before it infects your computer, as disinfection once the virus is activated can be more complicated and involve loss of files, not to mention the fact that the virus may have already spread to other computers.

More About Computer Viruses

Unlike live viruses, computer viruses are created intentionally by people to cause mischief and create confusion. Not much is known about why these individuals do this, other than “because they can.” In some cases, a virus is part of a larger corporate espionage scheme, in others, just for “fun.” Either way, you don’t want to become an unwitting victim. Get top notch anti-virus software and always be on the lookout for executable programs that may not be what they appear. Remember, not everyone on the Internet is your friend.