Tips To Prevent Data Loss

Prevention is always better cure. In order to avoid data loss situation, you could observe the following steps:

1. Use an Anti Virus software and keep it updated
   
   Antivirus is designed to protect you and your computer against malicious computer virus. Some virus infections can delete, modify your data secretly and cause your computer to crash. So be sure to update your Antivirus software with the latest patch and signature files for maximum security.
   
   
2. Protect against power surges with an UPS
   
   An uninterruptible power supply protects your computer and data during a power surge or failure. The spare battery in the UPS gives you ample time to save your documents and shut down Windows properly so that you don't lose any files or damage any hardware components.
   
   
3. Keep your machine in a dry, shaded and dust-free area
   
   Never leave your computer near places where it is directly exposed to rain, sun or humidity. Such conditions have the tendency to cause rusting and damage to your hardware parts.
   
   
4. Do not attempt to repair or open up your computer without assistance
   
   Without experience, you may damage the circuit boards, hardware components and worst of all, receive a nasty electric shock! Always consult an expert.
   
   
5. Do not over-tweak your system
   
   Avoid modifying your system registry or overclock your hardware to yield performance boost unless you're absolutely sure of what you're doing. You don't wish to fry your computer.
   
   
6. Store your backups at an off-site location
   
   This helps to protect your backup from damage in case of a fire or disaster.
   
   
7. Avoid moving your computer when it is in operation
   
   You definitely would not wish for your power cord to fall off and cause a data corruption and physical damage to your hard disk such as a head crash while working on a project.
   
   
8. Do not share access to your computer with strangers on the network
   
   Your computer data can be prone to theft and modification if anyone on the network can access your files freely.
   
   
9. Practise disk maintenance
   
   Clean up temporary files, unused files and defragment your hard disk from time to time. This helps to keep your hard disk on top form.
   
   
10. Read failure symptoms
    
    You know it's time to start backing up all your data files when your hard disk starts producing funny noises and your system starts getting cranky.

You CAN Get The Virus by Just Reading Ur Email

For years it was an accepted fact that, the only way you could get infected by an email virus was by actually opening, or double clicking, the accompanying attachment. Not so anymore! Thanks, in part, to the email program manufactures.
Modern email programs, running on most current computers, can display much more than just plain text documents. The current crop of email programs can, and do, display pretty email, by this I mean; colored backgrounds, graphics and special text fonts. To achieve these feats your email program must accept and run little programs embedded within the email.

These little programs that make your received email look great can also contain code, developed by less than scrupulous people, that can erase the entire contents of your hard drive. Most of these types of email-viruses are benign and do no more than propagate themselves through your email-list to everyone you know. However, a few of these little devils are designed to erase everything on your hard drive.


You can minimize the chance of being hit by one of these little bugs

In your email program… Turn OFF all references to ActiveX, Java Script or any other Special Effects.

Each email program is different, so detailed instructions are not available, but there is a few common hints:

Check under Tools or Preferences for security settings.
Look for a choice that allows you access to the Security Settings.
Set your security settings to no less than Medium.
Turn off any choices you may have for running Java, ActiveX, VBS, VBA, or any other active content.

Also do the following:

• Click your start button.

• Click on Settings.

• Click on Control Panel.

• Double-Click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.

• Click on the Windows Setup tab.

• Click on Accessories to obtain the details.

• Uncheck Windows Scripting Host, if it is checked.

• Click "OK" to save your changes.

"All About Viruses" Quiz

1. What is a virus?
   A computer program, usually very small in size, which can disable or endanger any computer
   A program that protects your computer
   Something your computer catches when you connect to the Internet
   A hoax
   
   
2. Why are viruses bad?
   Viruses can temporarily or permanently disable your computer
   Viruses can render your computer inhospitable by defacing or modifying parts of your computer's software
   Viruses can prevent you from accessing your files
   All of the above
   
   
3. How can viruses spread?
   From a file you download from the Internet
   From a word processing file created or edited on another computer that's infected
   From a file someone sends you by e-mail
   All of the above
   
   
4. Who or what created viruses?
   Computers
   People
   The Internet
   We don't know
   
   
5. How can you protect your computer?
   By being highly selective in what files you download from the Internet
   By not opening just any file sent to you by e-mail
   By installing antivirus software on your computer
   All of the above
   
   
6. How does antivirus software work?
   It monitors your computer for any information that could be a virus
   It protects your computer against any problems
   It prevents you from downloading files
   It allows you to open only files infected by a virus
   
   
7. For your antivirus software to be effective, you must
   turn your computer off
   configure it to accept only files from websites and friends you trust
   make backup copies of all your word processing files
   install it and update it regularly
   
   
8. What is another name for a virus that infects a computer and sends copies of itself to other computers?
   A worm
   A gnat
   A bee
   A fly
   
   
9. How do you know for sure if your computer has a virus?
   Your computer runs slower than usual.
   Your programs run faster than normal.
   Your computer automatically tells you.
   The only way to know is to install antivirus software to scan your computer.
   
   
10. Why are virus hoaxes a problem?
    They might actually make your computer work better.
    They might contain instructions that will harm, not help your computer.
    They take too long to read.
    Antivirus software can only detect some of them.
    
    

Computer Virus FAQ for New User

Why should I care about computer viruses? Isn't all this just a bunch of hype drummed up by marketing departments for anti-virus software companies? I'm writing this in early May 1999. For the past week, the alt.comp.virus newsgroup has been flooded with pleas for help from people whose computers were clobbered by the CIH virus, which activated on April 26. Many of those people wound up having to put in large amounts of time and effort to get their computers operational; some people have had to buy replacement chips or pay for a repair shop to get their systems back in operation. And some of those people have lost data they will never be able to replace. Yet the CIH virus was well-known almost a year before it activated, and virtually every single current anti-virus program could handle it. But a lot of people didn't have a-v software, and many of those who did have it didn't use it regularly or keep it updated. So a lot of people lost time, money, and irreplaceable data when the CIH virus activated simply because they didn't take basic precautions to protect themselves. The virus threat is not going away: from reading the alt.comp.virus newsgroup, it's obvious that there are lots of people who would just love to create the same kind of havoc with their own virus creations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a program designed to spread itself by first infecting executable files or the system areas of hard and floppy disks and then making copies of itself. Viruses usually operate without the knowledge or desire of the computer user.

2. What kind of files can spread viruses?
Viruses have the potential to infect any type of executable code, not just the files that are commonly called 'program files'. For example, some viruses infect executable code in the boot sector of floppy disks or in system areas of hard drives. Another type of virus, known as a 'macro' virus, can infect word processing and spreadsheet documents that use macros. And it's possible for HTML documents containing JavaScript or other types of executable code to spread viruses or other malicious code. Since virus code must be executed to have any effect, files that the computer treats as pure data are safe. This includes graphics and sound files such as .gif, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, etc., as well as plain text in .txt files. For example, just viewing picture files won't infect your computer with a virus. The virus code has to be in a form, such as an .exe program file or a Word .doc file, that the computer will actually try to execute.

3. How do viruses spread?
When you execute program code that's infected by a virus, the virus code will also run and try to infect other programs, either on the same computer or on other computers connected to it over a network . And the newly infected programs will try to infect yet more programs. When you share a copy of an infected file with other computer users, running the file may also infect their computers; and files from those computers may spread the infection to yet more computers. If your computer is infected with a boot sector virus, the virus tries to write copies of itself to the system areas of floppy disks and hard disks. Then the infected floppy disks may infect other computers that boot from them, and the virus copy on the hard disk will try to infect still more floppies. Some viruses, known as 'multipartite' viruses, can spread both by infecting files and by infecting the boot areas of floppy disks.

4. What do viruses do to computers?
Viruses are software programs, and they can do the same things as any other programs running on a computer. The actual effect of any particular virus depends on how it was programmed by the person who wrote the virus. Some viruses are deliberately designed to damage files or otherwise interfere with your computer's operation, while others don't do anything but try to spread themselves around. But even the ones that just spread themselves are harmful, since they damage files and may cause other problems in the process of spreading. Note that viruses can't do any damage to hardware: they won't melt down your CPU, burn out your hard drive, cause your monitor to explode, etc. Warnings about viruses that will physically destroy your computer are usually hoaxes, not legitimate virus warnings.

5. What's the story on viruses and E-mail?
You can't get a virus just by reading a plain-text E-mail message or Usenet post. What you have to watch out for are encoded messages containing embedded executable code (i.e., JavaScript in an HTML message) or messages that include an executable file attachment (i.e., an encoded program file or a Word document containing macros). In order to activate a virus or Trojan horse program, your computer has to execute some type of code. This could be a program attached to an E-mail, a Word document you downloaded from the Internet, or something received on a floppy disk. There's no special hazard in files attached to Usenet posts or E-mail messages: they're no more dangerous than any other file. 7. What can I do to reduce the chance of getting viruses from E-mail? Treat any file attachments that might contain executable code as carefully as you would any other new files: save the attachment to disk and then check it with an up-to-date virus scanner before opening the file. If your E-mail or news software has the ability to automatically execute JavaScript, Word macros, or other executable code contained in or attached to a message, I strongly recommend that you disable this feature. My personal feeling is that if an executable file shows up unexpectedly attached to an E-mail, you should delete it unless you can positively verify what it is, who it came from, and why it was sent to you. The recent outbreak of the Melissa virus was a vivid demonstration of the need to be extremely careful when you receive E-mail with attached files or documents. Just because an E-mail appears to come from someone you trust, this does NOT mean the file is safe or that the supposed sender had anything to do with it.

Recovering from Viruses, Worms, &Trojan Horses

Unfortunately, many users are victims of viruses, worms, or Trojan horses. If your computer gets infected with malicious code, there are steps you can take to recover.

How do you know your computer is infected?

Unfortunately, there is no particular way to identify that your computer has been infected with malicious code. Some infections may completely destroy files and shut down your computer, while others may only subtly affect your computer's normal operations. Be aware of any unusual or unexpected behaviors. If you are running anti-virus software, it may alert you that it has found malicious code on your computer. The anti-virus software may be able to clean the malicious code automatically, but if it can't, you will need to take additional steps.

What can you do if you are infected?

1. Minimize the damage - If you are at work and have access to an IT department, contact them immediately. The sooner they can investigate and clean your computer, the less damage to your computer and other computers on the network. If you are on your home computer or a laptop, disconnect your computer from the internet. By removing the internet connection, you prevent an attacker or virus from being able to access your computer and perform tasks such as locating personal data, manipulating or deleting files, or using your computer to attack other computers.
2. Remove the malicious code - If you have anti-virus software installed on your computer, update the virus definitions (if possible), and perform a manual scan of your entire system. If you do not have anti-virus software, you can purchase it at a local computer store (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more information). If the software can't locate and remove the infection, you may need to reinstall your operating system, usually with a system restore disk that is often supplied with a new computer. Note that reinstalling or restoring the operating system typically erases all of your files and any additional software that you have installed on your computer.

How can you reduce the risk of another infection?

Dealing with the presence of malicious code on your computer can be a frustrating experience that can cost you time, money, and data. The following recommendations will build your defense against future infections:

• use and maintain anti-virus software - Anti-virus software recognizes and protects your computer against most known viruses. However, attackers are continually writing new viruses, so it is important to keep your anti-virus software current (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more information).
• change your passwords - Your original passwords may have been compromised during the infection, so you should change them. This includes passwords for web sites that may have been cached in your browser. Make the passwords difficult for attackers to guess (see Choosing and Protecting Passwords for more information).
• keep software up to date - Install software patches so that attackers can't take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities (see Understanding Patches for more information). Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this option is available, you should enable it.
• install or enable a firewall - Firewalls may be able to prevent some types of infection by blocking malicious traffic before it can enter your computer (see Understanding Firewalls for more information). Some operating systems actually include a firewall, but you need to make sure it is enabled.
• use anti-spyware tools - Spyware is a common source of viruses, but you can minimize the number of infections by using a legitimate program that identifies and removes spyware (see Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware for more information).
• follow good security practices - Take appropriate precautions when using email and web browsers so that you reduce the risk that your actions will trigger an infection (see other US-CERT security tips for more information).

As a precaution, maintain backups of your files on CDs or DVDs so that you have saved copies if you do get infected again.

Symptoms of Virus Infection

There is usually no simple way to know when you have a virus. I should rephrase this: some viruses exhibit behavior that tell you immediately that they are on your system, but so many viruses mimic other system problems that it is most accurate to say "there is usually no way to rule out a virus as a possible cause of strange software or system behavior on your PC.

Virus writers are usually pranksters whose software is normally designed to avoid detection, and to cause mischief. Both of these mean that viruses are designed to mimic natural processes in your PC so that you don't think you have an infection. They often make your system behave in strange ways, but in strange ways that could also be the result of an application bug, driver glitch, or even a hardware problem. For example, a virus can make strange things print on the screen--but so can a driver problem, or a bad BIOS setting. A virus can make the system spontaneously reboot--but so can a bad power supply, or an operating system problem, or an overheating processor.

Since viruses are so common, and they can exhibit so many strange types of behavior, and so many of these behaviors are similar to other, real hardware and software problems, I always recommend a virus scan as the first step in troubleshooting a hardware or software problem. Until virus infection has been cleared as a potential source of problems, it doesn't make much sense to look for a real hardware or software cause. For example, many symptoms of resource conflicts are similar to the symptoms of virus infection. The following are the sorts of problems that are usually real system or component problems, but can also be a result of virus trickery (this list is not exhaustive; virus writers are very creative):

• Spontaneous system reboots.
• System crashes/hangups.
• Application crashes.
• Sound problems with the speaker or sound card.
• Seemingly random glitches on the screen.
• Corrupted hard disk data.
• Partitions that seem to "disappear".
• System slowdowns.
• Hard disks that won't boot.

There are some types of strange system behavior that hint much more strongly that a virus is around and responsible for the problem. Seeing any of the following types of behavior on your system should send you scrambling for your clean antivirus boot disks, as they are not normally caused by legitimate hardware or software problems:

• Strange Messages: If you boot your PC some day and are greeted with the message "Your PC is now Stoned!", then you can bet your booties that you have a virus. Oddball messages on the screen usually are viruses (although some real system messages are kind of strange too, such as "No ROM BASIC - System Halted").
• Odd Text Games: If you type at the command prompt in DOS and the letters start moving around on the screen in strange patterns, or each letter you type is changing to a random color, or ASCII graphics move around the screen "eating" other characters, or anything strange like that, chances are high that you have a virus.
• Music and Strange Sounds: Viruses have been known to generate music or odd tones on the system speaker.
• Changing File Sizes or Time/Date Stamps: File-infector viruses commonly increase the size of files that they infect, and some can affect date/time stamps as well. There is normally no ordinary reason for an executable file to increase in size (unless you apply a patch to the program or something similar.) Time/date stamps are more easily changed, but still normally remain static over the life of a program.
• Disappearing Files:If you used a program yesterday and now it isn't there any more, and you're sure that you didn't delete it, a virus may have deleted it for you.

Tips to protect your computer from viruses

Computer viruses can easily infect your computer when using the Internet. Here are the 10 great tips you should know to protect your computer from viruses.

1. Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.

2. Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.

3. Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.

4. Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.

5. Do not download any files from strangers.

6. Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.

7. Update anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.

8. Back up files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.

9. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.

Top 9 Windows Antivirus

Antivirus software is must-have protection. This review picks the best antivirus software based on its virus detection abilities, features, and breadth of protection. Whether you're seeking total system coverage or an ala carte solution, each of the following products provides superb virus protection for Windows-based PCs. Because every system is unique, evaluate several of these antivirus products to find the software best suited for your PC and your level of experience.



Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium

AntiVir is a consistent leader in independent antivirus tests. Avira's AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium is a low-impact, easy to use virus scanner that also includes rootkit detection and phishing protection. Five euros of each purchase is automatically donated to the Auerbach Foundation, a non-profit that supports various charity and community-related services. AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal


Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal offers excellent antivirus protection, perhaps unsurpassed in its ability to unpack and scan compressed files - something that trips up a lot of other vendors. Should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

BitDefender Antivirus Plus

Softwin's BitDefender Professional protects against viruses, spyware, and instant messaging threats, as well as offering firewall rules to block undesirable traffic and a privacy gateway to keep your identity and preferences private while surfing the Internet.

McAfee VirusScan Plus

McAfee VirusScan Plus is an ideal candidate for those seeking an antivirus/firewall combination without all the bloat of traditional Internet security suites. McAfee VirusScan Plus makes an easy job of removing adware and spyware, something not all antivirus products deliver.

Panda Antivirus 2007

Panda Antivirus 2007 combines antivirus, antispyware, and antiphishing with its highly touted behavior-based TruPrevent Technology. License covers use on two computers and includes free tech support via email (telephone support options are also available).

F-PROT Antivirus

F-PROT Antivirus for Windows offers a feature that's increasingly harder to find - it includes a command-line scanner that can be used to create a rescue CD for scanning the system in Safe Mode. This is a particularly effective way to remove stubborn resuscitators. Firewall not included.

G Data AntiVirus (AVK)

AntiVirusKit (AVK) provides a double layer of protection, bundling two of the best antivirus engines - Kaspersky and BitDefender - under a single, easy-to-use console. Like Nod32, you'll also want to bolster G Data's AVK with a firewall.

AVG Anti-Malware

AVG Anti-Malware combines traditional virus protection with adware and spyware scanning, in a low impact footprint ideal for resource-strained PCs or those who just want the best performance possible out of their computers. Free tech support is available via email and the standard license includes two years of protection. Should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

Eset Nod32

Nod32 features a small footprint, low performance hit, and fast scan speeds, providing focused virus protection ideal for gamers or those with an older PC. Should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

Types of Viruses

Macro Viruses: Macro Viruses use commands (macros) embedded in other software to infect and spread to other files viewed by that software. E.g. Word and Excel have macros and macro viruses can spread by exploiting these commands.

Worms: Worms duplicate themselves and use communications such as email to spread. They can look at your email address book and send themselves to users in your address book.

File Viruses: File viruses attach themselves to other software. When the software is run, the virus first loads itself into memory so that in can further infect other files or begin damaging the computer.

Trojan Horses: Trojan Horses are programs that claim to perform a particular function but in fact do something different. E.g. they could infect your computer with a virus or erase your files.

Backdoor Trojans: Backdoor Trojans are programs that allow other computer users to remotely control your computer via a local area network or the Internet.

Boot Sector Viruses: Boot Sector Viruses are an older type of virus and not so common. They used to infect a computer's startup program so that the virus would become active as soon as the computer started up.

Adware: Is to internet browsing as spam is to email Adware can profile your online surfing and online shopping habits and or placing annoying pop-up adverts, installing additional IE menu helper bars. Often Adware revolves around targeted advertising based upon the web sites you frequent and you may not even be aware that the pop-ups are not coming from the actual web site visited itself but from the Adware software running locally on your machine. Quite often these applications are installed by stealth or by deliberately misleading users to install software that is not required.

Spyware: Is potentially a higher threat than Adware as it often collects user details, such as software installed and often sensitive information such as passwords and even credit card details which are then sent to via the internet to a central collection point. Spyware is often installed covertly or by accident via pop-up windows with active-x controls which report that they are doing something benign whilst secretly installing this malicious software.

Page Hijackers: Are applications that redirect links to specific web pages, such as a request to go to a search engine for example, and instead redirect the web browser to a designated address, related to the initial link but often containing advertising or adware. Whilst not as high a threat as Spyware, it is often a sign that your computer has some spyware or adware components installed on it which will undermine its operation.