How To Detect And Remove Computer Viruses?

By Author: Ann Philip
Total Articles: 91
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Like cancer to human beings, computer viruses are hazardous to the health of your PC. In this article we will discuss about the different types of computer viruses, methods to detect it, remove it and prevent it from infecting again. Before going into the details, we will try to understand what exactly a virus is?

Computer virus is an executable software program designed with some negative intentions. It can replicate by itself or can spread from one computer to the other. We can measure the levels of infection by checking its destructive nature. When some virus destroys hard disk contents, others interfere with normal functioning of the system. In normal PC’s viruses are getting infected from software programs. While for PC’s connected with Internet, viruses are introduced through downloading of files through FTP or checking anonymous email.

How virus works once it entered into the system?

•Some virus reduce or completely destroy the memory space
•Corrupt data
•Modify data
•Deleting data
•Sending anonymous messages
•Getting anonymous messages
•Interfere ...
... with normal functions

Different types of viruses that can be a threat to computer are as follows: -

File virus- As the name indicates this type of virus infect executable files and change the coding. When the original file is opened the malicious code will be executed and the original file becomes inaccessible. Some of the commonly found file viruses are Trojan and Loveletter virus. Files infected by file virus should be deleted before it spread to other files.

Boot sector virus – This type of virus spread mostly through infected floppy disc and hard drives. Sometimes people forget to take floppy disk from the floppy drives. When the system gets started it tries to boot from the floppy disc. Thus the boot sector virus will come into contact with the users local drives. The common messages that appear after getting infected with boot sector virus are “disk error” or “replace the disc”

Macro virus- Like other viruses, macro viruses do not infect programs. Most of the macro virus infects Microsoft word or related applications and perform a sequence of actions. Macro virus has the ability to perform actions in an automatic sequence. Compared to other viruses, macro viruses are relatively harmless. Melissa virus is a widely known macro virus. This virus infected documents by spreading through an e-mail attachment.

Virus Hoax – This virus spread as a false warning about a computer virus. Most of the warnings arrive as an email message or as a text message within the internal network of a company. Antivirus specialists are recommending people to delete messages related to virus hoax.

Now we will discuss about ways to protect your computer against viruses. To protect your computer from different types of viruses so many Virus Removal Assistance programs or software are available in shops. Most of the technologically advanced people set firewall on their system. Firewall is nothing but a barrier against destructive forces like offensive web sites and hackers.

Some other virus removal tools widely used by people across the world are Kaspersky Antivirus, Norton Antivirus, McAfee and AVG. most of these antivirus applications has the ability to map your wireless network and safeguard your Wi-Fi networks. Whenever we start our system, these antivirus applications start scanning files and folders. When they find a virus, spyware or malware they will alert us. Some virus detecting tolls also give identity protection by providing anti-banking and anti-phishing filters.

If you don’t have an antivirus program, then your risk related to computer virus infection is really high. If you don’t want to lose your valuable and personal data, get one virus removal tool as early as possible. You can also opt for an online virus removal tool.

Ann is a freelancer. She is interested in writing about different computer applications and its pros and cons. As a regular user of Internet, she is using Virus Removal Assistance to stay away from viruses.