Computer viruses and their prevention

Computer viruses are small software program that spreads rapidly from one computer tom another and interferes with computer operations. It may corrupt or delete important data stored on your data. It can use email program to spread to other computers connected to the internet. It may also delete everything stored on your hard disks.

The viruses are most easily spread by attachments in email messages or even by instant messages. To avoid such cases, you should never open an email unless you do not know who sent the mail or you are expecting an attachment.

The viruses spread as the attachments of funny images, greeting cards, audio or video files. They also enter your system when you download some files from the internet. They can hide in pirated software, files and programs.

Symptoms of virus infected viruses:

• Computer runs slower than usual.
• Computer responds slowly to your commands or it hangs up frequently.
• Applications on your system do not respond properly.
• You get to see unusual error messages.
• Distorted menus and dialogue boxes keep flashing on the screen.
• Antivirus program get disabled for no reason and becomes difficult to restart.
• Antivirus program cannot be installed on your system or it cannot run.
• Programs disappear from the system, though you did not intentionally remove them.
• Strange sound and music plays from the speakers unexpectedly.

Spyware

Spyware is software that can install on your computer without your knowledge. These programs can change your computer’s configuration or even collect advertising data and personal information. Spyware can track internet searching habits and possibly redirect website activity.

Symptoms of Spywarer
When a computer becomes affected by Spyware, the following may be the result:
• Internet connection may get slow.
• Changing web browser’s home page.
• Loss of internet connectivity and failure to open some programs, including security software.
• Unable to visit specific websites, which includes redirecting you to another one.

Here is how you can remove a computer virus and spyware:
Removing a computer virus or spyware can be a difficult task even for an expert without the help of computer malicious software removal tools. Some computer viruses and other unwanted software install themselves after the viruses and spyware have been detected and removed form your computer. Fortunately, by updating the computer and by using malicious software removal tools, you can permanently remove unwanted software.

To remove a computer virus and other malicious software, follow these steps:-

Install the latest updates:
1. For Windows Vista and Windows 7
a. Click the Pearl (Start) button, and then type Windows update in the search box.
b. In the results area, click Windows update.
c. Click Check for updates.
d. Follow the instructions to download and install the latest Windows updates.
2. For Windows XP
a. Click Start, and then click Run.
b. Type sysdm.cpl and press the Enter key.
c. Click the Automatic Updates tab and choose the Automatic (recommended) option.
d. Click OK.

Use the Microsoft Safety Scannerr
Microsoft offers a free online tool that will scan and remove all potential threats from your computer.
To perform the scan, Install and run Microsoft Security Essentialsr
Microsoft offers a free malicious removal program that is Microsoft Security Essentials. This will also help protect your computer from being infected.
Role of Antivirus in preventing viruses:
With the increase of computers in daily life, the need of improvising computer security is also increasing. Software are not enough to protect your computer system as it has been estimated that there is over 120,000 computer infections such as viruses, spyware, malware and Trojan. Approximately 90,000,000 Spam and emails are sent out each day by people.

Antivirus software offer complete protection to your computer from malicious Trojan, horse and other harmful things. The central role of antivirus software is to check all files to determine the presence of viruses and other noxious objects as mentioned above.
You can avail online antivirus support to provide your computer protection against security threats. There are a number of companies that are providing antivirus support they have certified professionals who are capable of troubleshooting any errors that occur in the system because of the viruses. Their support is efficient and 24x7 available at very reasonable cost. These providers provide a range of effective services to troubleshoot virus related issues.