What is a Virus?
A virus is a malicious program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves and spread over the Internet. Viruses can range from fairly harmless, to ones that can cause data loss, deleting important files and rendering your PC unusable. Some can mail random files stored on your machine to everyone in your address book... others can send copies of confidential files (including financial data, office documents, passwords etc.) back to the virus' author.
Viruses that send email can also cause your mailbox to become clogged, preventing you from receiving legitimate email. You should always have a current virus protection program on your computer. It should also protect you from worms and trojans.
A worm is like a virus: it is a destructive program that replicates itself throughout disk and memory, using up the computers resources until it crashes.
A Trojan horse is what seems to be legitimate software, but does something destructive when run. There are several types of Trojans:
- Backdoors: once launched, they can allow someone to take control of another user's PC via the internet, without the user's knowledge.
- Passwords stealers: these are programs embedded in files and they steal passwords. These are sent to the maker of the program, without the user's knowledge.
- Logical bombs: these Trojans perform some destructive or security-compromising activity whenever specified conditions are met.
- Denial of Service tools: these programs send special arrangements of data to a target (usually a web site) with the specific intent of interrupting that target's Internet service.
Malware is malicious software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It covers a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
See also, Glossary Definitions:
If you receive notification of a virus by email, do not send it to all your friends! It is likely to be a hoax. Spreading hoaxes damages the reputation of both the Internet and the companies involved.
A virus is not the same as a bug. Bugs are programming errors in computer programs.
A few things to note about computer viruses:
What should I do?
Some things that you can do to minimise problems are:
- Keep your virus protection up to date. Updates can be downloaded from the Internet each week from many anti-virus companies, or even daily, and should be immediately installed. This only takes a couple of minutes, but will protect you from the latest viruses. Unless you keep your software up-to-date, your PC isn't fully protected.
- Scan all email attachments with your virus checker before opening.
- Do not open, or double-click on, suspicious email attachments
In summary, unless you know and trust the source, never open an attached file that is sent with an email. This is especially true of "executable" files (with .exe in the filename), as they are designed to automatically launch programs (including viruses) when they are opened or run. As another precaution, you may choose to simply delete (without opening), mail from senders you do not recognise.
See: mc² and attachments
Get Anti-Virus Software
Companies selling Anti-Virus software include: (please note the
disclaimer)
Free Anti-Virus programs include:
You can also test your computer's exposure to online security threats with the free Symantec Security Check at security.symantec.com
You can look for software at tucows that includes anti virus, trojan, firewall, and spam software.
mc² = virus free?
mc² does not allow
attachments to be sent via its
Forum or
Alert emails. This simple step will protect you from getting a virus sent as an attachment with mc² mail. N.B. Whilst this is true for mail sent directly by the mc² web
server, it is not possible for mc² to protect you from attachments sent directly to you by individuals, whether they are mc² members or not.
Note also, that whilst mc² WebMail is screened for viruses, it does allow attachments to be sent, as do mc² Mailing Lists. Caution should be exercised in opening any attachment - see some things that you can do to minimise problems.
Also, to deter the spread of viruses, mc² does not permit ordinary mc² users to upload executable (.exe) files in the Shared Files section of groups (nor via Group Files). Only owners and moderators can upload executables, by using FTP.
For your protection, all users of mc² must agree to the Code of Conduct. This states that: all users of mc² must NOT use mc² or Vicnet services to: "Knowingly propogate computer viruses" or "Engage in any illegal activities including, but not limited to: cracking, probing, or analysing security systems"
Liability
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Be aware that not all viruses can be detected and cleaned. There is a risk involved whenever you access the Internet, or download email and attachments to your computer, or send email attachments to others, and that, as stated in the Liability section of the Code of Conduct, neither mc² nor Vicnet are responsible for any damages caused by your decision to do so.
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What else?
As well as installing and updating virus protection, it is also advisable to keep up to date with
system
security patches for your computer:
- If you use Microsoft Windows as your operating system (OS), you should check Windows Update at windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Once there, you should Scan for Updates frequently, to download and install the latest patches for your computer, especially all Critical Updates and Service Packs.
Macintoshes have Software Update available from the control panel in OS 9, and in the system preferences panel in OS X.
- If you also use Microsoft Office software (MS Word, Excel etc.) you should also check
office.microsoft.com frequently for Product Updates.
- Not sure of your operating system? Check it at the Browser & Screen Resolution Testing page.
"Win32" means Microsoft Windows, "Mac" means Apple Macintosh
- You should also consider Content Regulation & Safe Surfing Issues
- Also look at other Content Regulation Websites & Filtering Software
- Spyware & Adware
Also called adware, spyware is any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about email addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.
Has Your Privacy been sacrificed by on-line spyware, adware, malware, pesky spybots, trojans and sneakware? Eliminate them all Now. Check to see if you are infected by downloading, installing and running any of the software programs below:
See also:
- Spyware Info for spyware and Hijackware removal tips
- and to stop annoying Pop-Up Ads, try Pop-Up Stopper from panicware.com
- SpywareGuide.com shows which software applications can detect and defeat spyware, and an extensive database of spy software and adware applications
Free software? What's the catch?
Note that the free versions of some Adware and Spyware removal programs will only detect, not remove, problems - you have to pay to get the full versions that can actually fix the problems! The programs we have selected above do actually fix a lot of problems for free, however. Note also that sites that offer free downloads of copyrighted music, hacked copies of popular software programs, or pornography, are often also distributors of spyware and browser hijackers.
Why worry about Spyware & Adware?
If you are seeing new toolbars in your browser, excessive popups, or your homepage has been switched, chances are that you are infected with an internet parasite. This is Serious. Why, because programs like this are more than a simple annoyance. Your privacy is being invaded. Spyware has the ability to install more software in your machine without your consent. For safe surfing, it needs to be removed. Some spyware components are browser plug-ins, also known as Browser Helper Objects
- Phishing
Phishing - a play on the word "fishing" - is an attempt to steal your password and
private account info. Phishers can set up fake web sites & emails that look like those of
trusted companies, to trick you into disclosing your user name and password so that they can gain access to your account. Once they gain access, they can use your personal information to commit
identity theft, charge your credit cards, empty your bank accounts, read your email,
and lock you out of your online account by changing your password. You should always check that the URL at the top of any webpage, or of any links in an email, are legitimate, before logging in. See also Microsoft article: Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails
- "Hackers" - see Hacker: Glossary Definition
Your PC may be vulnerable to an Internet-based attack. The Windows operating system has a number of potential security vulnerabilities that may allow knowledgeable PC users to connect to your PC over the Internet while you are online, and access your files. You can test whether your PC is vulnerable to such attacks by clicking on one of the following links. These security-testing services "probe" your PC and report on any security vulnerabilities. Bear in mind that these free tests are provided by commercial companies who are selling security software: [see links disclaimer]
- Firewalls - The best protection against Internet-based attacks and "vandal" software is to install "firewall" software on your PC. A "firewall" is a system designed to protect a computer or a computer network from attacks, and to defend against attempts at unauthorised access.
Browser Security
It is your responsibility to ensure the security of your computer and browser. As well as installing and updating virus protection, it is also advisable to keep up to date with system security patches for your computer.
Do not disclose your mc² login password to anyone
See: Using a Public or Shared Computer
Be aware of the Code of Conduct re Security:
More Information
For more information on computer viruses, you may wish to look at the following sites:
- Vicnet Security Info - Covers security issues such as: Operating system updates, Spyware and Pop up Advertising, Firewalls, Ports and Port Blocking, Anti-virus programs, Browser Hijacks/Parasites,
- Microsoft - Home Security centre for you & your computer
- About.com Antivirus Software - Portal for all things Antivirus!
- Symantec Security Response - library of documents on computer viruses including the top ten list of most common viruses and new viruses to be on the alert for, as well as general virus Q&A.
- c|net Virus Alert Center
- Virus Bulletin - technical journal on developments in the field of computer viruses and anti-virus products
- VirusList.com - encyclopedia covering hoaxes, new viruses with descriptions, warnings and advice, new technologies, and company news.
- Yahoo Computer Security - Viruses and Worms
- Bigpond Virus FAQ
- Computer Virus Myths
- Computer Knowledge Virus Tutorial
- Computer Virus Primer
- See also: SPAM in the mc² Glossary and Code of Conduct, and Vicnet SPAM Policy
- Content Regulation & Safe Surfing
Do you need to protect children from accessing adult content? Info on software such as Net Nanny etc.
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