Computer viruses, Spyware and Cookies ( Win. Vista & 7 )

Computer viruses

• Viruses are small programs written so that they can jump from one computer to another (via disk or a network), which can cause disruption or damage to the computer system. Even data files such as a Word document can contain a virus. As well as causing damage to your data, or in some cases even destroying your data, viruses can cause other effects, such as using your email system to email all your email contacts and in the process infect other people’s computers.

• Basically if you access files which are virus infected, then that virus may be transmitted to your computer. Never accept diskettes/CD-ROMs/DVDs which have not been properly virus scanned first by your computer support team. Never connect to the Internet without an active virus checker program scanning all the files you download. 

Spyware

• Spyware is software that installs itself on your computer and then spies on your computer activity.  Often spyware is used to collect marketing information but more serious versions can collect sensitive data which could later be used in a criminal way.  If you download and install free software, then this may have types of spyware hidden within it.  There are many different programs that you can use to detect and remove spyware on your computer.

Cookies

• Cookies are commonly used to allow visitors to a web site to personalise their relationship with the web site. For instance a weather web site could use a cookie to remember that you live within a particular area of the country.  The next time you visit that web site, the weather that will be displayed will relate to your location.  Some cookies are less innocent.  Cookies are often downloaded automatically from a web site when you visit the web site, so you can acquire them without realising it. Most anti-spyware programs will also detect cookies for you.  

Virus checking programs

• An up to date virus checker should help protect you from losing data due to virus attacks and you should find that your email system does not get jammed up due to multiple email viruses. 

• You will have less chance of being sued for damages by other organisations that you accidentally infected with a virus. 

• Running a virus checker on a computer which contains a virus is known as disinfecting the PC as the virus program will detect and then eliminate the virus. 

• You will save time and money by preventing virus attacks as opposed to dealing with the effects of an attack.  NOTE: Get all the security updates and patches for your version of Windows so that Windows itself is less vulnerable to virus attack.

Scanning for viruses

• Many virus checking programs will scan your PC when you first switch on in the morning and some will even run detailed scans automatically, as well as automatically updating themselves so that you are protected against new virus types. In the example shown, we have started the McAfee antivirus program (via the quick launch toolbar). In this case to scan the computer for viruses we would simply click on the Scan button. 

 • This particular program will display a dialog box similar to that shown while the virus scan is running.

• At the end of the process you should see a message telling you that your computer is free of viruses. If a virus is detected during the scan and you work in a large organisation inform your IT technical support team immediately. Do not panic! If you are running a computer at home, then normally, let the virus checking program remove any viruses which it finds.  

Updating anti-virus programs

• As new viruses are constantly emerging, it is vital to update your virus program on a regular basis. Many programs will do this automatically. You can also run the update manually to make absolutely sure you have all the latest updates.  In the case of the McAfee example show below, you would click on the Update button and follow the on-screen instructions.