Computer Virus Help

The most frequently asked anti-virus questions
and their answers.

Q: What is a computer virus?
A: A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.

Q: What are the most common ways to get a virus?
A: One of the most common ways to get a computer virus is by booting from an infected diskette.  Another way is to receive an infected file (such as an EXE or COM file, or a Microsoft Word document or Excel spreadsheet that contains a macro virus) through file sharing, by downloading it off the Internet, or as an attachment in an email message.

Q: What are some indications that my computer has a virus?

A: Symptoms/indications may include, but are not limited to...

Computer becoming sluggish or non-responsive.
Applications may begin to exhibit abnormal behavior.
E-mail recipients complain that they are receiving messages 
    from you that you know you did not send.

Anti-virus software tell you that it found several files on a disk
    infected with the same virus.

Reported virus was found in an EXE or COM file or in a boot 
    sector on the disk.

Windows can not start in 32-bit disk or file access mode.

If several executable files (EXE and COM) on your system are
    suddenly and mysteriously larger than they were previously.

Q: How can I protect myself from getting a virus?
A: In today's world having anti-virus software is not optional.
A good anti-virus program will perform real-time and on-demand virus checks on your system, and warn you if it detects a virus.  The program should also provide a way for you to update its virus definitions, or signatures, so that your virus protection will be current (new viruses are discovered all the time).  It is important that you keep your virus definitions as current as possible.

Note: Even up-to-date anti-virus software can only identify KNOWN computer viruses.

Once you have purchased an anti-virus program, use it to scan new programs before you execute or install them, and new diskettes (even if you think they are blank) before you use them.

You can also take the following precautions to protect your computer from getting a virus:

Ensure your operating system (OS), antivirus and other software is up-to-date and has the latest fixes or patches for new viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses. Additionally you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the ability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. If this isn't enough protection, then you may want to consider installing a firewall as well.

  Always be very careful about opening attachments you receive in an email... particularly if the mail comes from someone you do not know. 
Avoid accepting programs (EXE or COM files) from USENET news group postings.  Be careful about running programs that come from unfamiliar sources or have come to you unrequested. Due to macro viruses, be careful about using Microsoft Word or Excel files that originate from an unknown or insecure source.

  Avoid booting off a diskette by never leaving a floppy disk in your system when you turn it off.

  Write protect all your system and software diskettes when you obtain them.  This will stop a computer virus spreading to them if your system becomes infected.

  Change your system's CMOS Setup configuration to prevent it from booting from the diskette drive.  If you do this a boot sector virus will be unable to infect your computer during an accidental or deliberate reboot while an infected floppy is in the drive.  If you ever need to boot off your Rescue Disk, remember to change the CMOS back to allow you to boot from diskette.

  Configure Microsoft Word and Excel to warn you whenever you open a document or spreadsheet that contains a macro (in Microsoft Word check the appropriate box in the Tools | Options | General tab).

  Write-protect your system's NORMAL.DOT file.  By making this file read-only, you will hopefully notice if a macro virus attempts to write to it.

  When you need to distribute a Microsoft Word file to someone, send the RTF (Rich Text Format) file instead.  RTF files do not support macros, and by doing so you can ensure that you won't be inadvertently sending an infected file.

  Finally, always make regular backups of your computer files.  That way, if your computer becomes infected, you can be confident of having a clean backup to help you recover from the attack.

Q: What should I do if I get a virus?
A: If you think you may have a virus infection, stay calm.
Once detected, a virus will rarely cause (further) damage, but a panic action might. Bear in mind that not every one who thinks he/she has a virus actually does. Reformatting your hard disk is usually unnecessary unless the problems have persisted after virus and spybot removal.

Update and then run your virus detection software. 

If you cannot find the problem, update and then run spybot detection software, such as Lavasoft Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy.

You may have a message that is a hoax.
Feel free to use the updated virus search (above and on the left side bar) to find out more.

If running the above software does not detect the problem, Contact me and I will check the symptoms and then get back
with you with furter instructions.

Follow the guidelines below as far as is practicable and applicable.

  Do not attempt to continue to work with an infected system, or let other people do so.

  Generally, it's considered preferable to switch an infected system off until it can be dealt with: don't allow other people to use it in the meantime. If possible, close down applications, Windows etc. properly and allow any caches/buffers to flush, rather than just hit the power switch.

  If you have access to uninfected systems in the locality, don't use floppy disks on them (except known clean write-protected DOS boot floppies)

  Users of infected machines should not under any circumstances trade disks with others until their systems and disks are cleaned.

  No files should be exchanged between machines by any other means until it's established that this can be done safely.

  Ensure that anyone else at risk is aware of the situation.

  Get all floppy disks together for checking and check every one. This includes write-protected floppies and program master disks. Check all backups too.

Should you have any computer needs… I am here for you!
E-mail or Phone me, and I will be happy to help you.

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