Computer Viruses

1
Computer Viruses

• By
• Glorianna Stokes-Wickersham

2
Summary

• Definition of a Computer Virus
• Effects of Computer Viruses
• Types of Computer Viruses
• Diagnosis
• Antivirus Software
• Buying Antivirus Software

3
What is a computer virus?

• A malicious computer program
• Piggybacks on top of documents and other programs
• Self replicating
• Operates without the users permission or
  awareness
• Can cause havoc

4
Effects of Viruses

• Damage Programs
• Delete Files
• Reformat the hard disk
• Replicate and show up in text, video and audio
  messages
• Cause erratic behavior
• System Crashes

5
Types of Viruses

• Boot Sector- alters or hides in the hard drive
• Companion- Creates new files with legit. Names,
  when the user clicks on it the virus spreads to
  do other tasks and spread more copies into these
  new areas
• Email- Distributed in email messages, replicates
  by automatically mailing to people on the users
  email address book

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Other Types

• Logic Bomb- Sleep until a certain condition is
  met, then it awakens and starts a certain
  function
• Macro- Written in Word or excel and spreads in
  Micr. Office by infecting doc. and spread.
• Cross-site scripting- Spread btwn. Web
  applications (web pages) and web browsers

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Steps Towards Prevention

• Protect Yourself
• Buy or install anti-virus software
• Update the software regularly
• Dont open email attachments if the sender is
  unknown
• Always scan email attachments w/ the antivirus
  program
• Back up data regularly

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Diagnosis

• Computer is acting erratically
• Sluggish responses
• Frequent crashes
• Memory problems
• Unusual files appear in the system
• Strange messages appear on the screen

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Antivirus Software

• There is no definite way to prevent viruses
• You can reduce the chances of contracting one
• Antivirus software!

10
Buy Anti Virus Software

• Protects against viruses,
• Firewall
• Anti spy ware
• A years protection
• Frequent updates
• User friendly
• Can eliminate a virus outbreak
• Reasonable price

11
Different Antivirus Programs
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Bibliography

• How Computer Viruses Work. How Stuff Works.
  2006. 28 November 2006
• Computer Virus. Wikipedia The Free
  Encyclopedia. 2006. 28 November, 2006
• Protect Yourself Computer Viruses Learn The
  Net.com. January 2006. 28 November 2006
  tm