Keep PC Safe

If the specter of fire, floods and just plain computer failure is not enough for you to consider how

to protect your data, you should also be aware of the potential for malicious destruction of your

data caused by viruses and other malware.

A computer virus is a self-replicating computer program that can copy itself and then transmit

these copies to other files, programs or computers. It is called a virus because it behaves

similarly to a biological virus. Viruses are one of the several types of malware, or malicious

software. Viruses can be destructive in that they can contain overtake the computer system and

use up valuable resources. They can also be designed to delete files and affect partition tables.

Other types of malware include worms and Trojan horses. A worm is similar to a virus in its

effects. The difference is that a worm is self contained, and does not need another program for

propagation. A Trojan horse is a piece on malware that is hidden inside a legitimate program.

Some malware can be very dangerous as they can delete files, or steal personal information

and transmit it to the programmer. Malware has the potential of wiping out complete file

systems, beyond the reach of data recovery software.

In order to protect your data from viruses and worms you will want to install anti-virus software

that can detect and eliminate known viruses. These programs work by examining the contents

of the computer's memory and checking for known viruses. Some anti-virus programs will also

scan all files as they are downloaded to help ensure that no virus has the chance to enter your

computer. You will also want to regularly update your anti-virus software and operating system.

Microsoft Windows, because of its dominant position in the market, is often the target of attacks

by viruses. Microsoft frequently issues patches and updates to fix any vulnerabilities found by

malware.

In addition to anti-virus software, common sense can be a useful tool when combating viruses.

So not download anything from the internet from sites that you do not have confidence in. Do

not open attachments on emails from people you have never heard of. In fact, it is usually a

good idea to avoid opening any unexpected emails, as some viruses can access your

colleague’s computers and email themselves from their accounts.

And finally, the best way to protect your data from viruses is simply to back it up. A malware

attack, like a fire or natural disaster, can occur despite all your precautions. By backing up your

data you can recover it in case your originals are lost completely.