Computer Viruses

BY – Ishan Pande

Overview

MeaningHistoryHow do we get viruses ?Effects of computer virusesTypes of computer infectionsKeeping computer virus freeAnti-virusesSome factsConclusion

Meaning

• A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are man-made. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.

History…

• The Creeper virus was first detected on ARPANET, the forerunner of the Internet, in the early 1970s.

• Creeper was an experimental self-replicating program written by Bob Thomas at BBN Technologies in 1971.

• Creeper used the ARPANET to infect DEC PDP-10 computers running the TENEX operating system.

• Creeper gained access via the ARPANET and copied itself to the remote system where the message, "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" was displayed. The Reaper program was created to delete Creeper.

How Do We Get Viruses ?

Sharing music, files or photos with other users Visiting an infected Web site Opening spam email or an email attachment Downloading free games, toolbars, media players and

other system utilities Installing mainstream software applications without

fully reading license agreements

Effects of Viruses

Slow computer performance Erratic computer behavior Unexplained data loss Frequent computer crashes Sapping computer memory Files/Directories disappear Denial of service

Types of Computer Infection

Trojan

sViruse

s Worm

s

Meaning….

Trojans Viruses Worms

Those on the receiving end of a Trojan Horse are usually tricked into opening them because they appear to be receiving legitimate software or files from a legitimate source. 

Like a human virus, a computer virus can range in severity: some may cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files

Worms spread from computer to computer, but unlike a virus, it has the capability to travel without any human action

Keeping Computer Virus Free

• Install anti-virus software from a reputable vendor. Update it and use it regularly.

• In addition to scanning for viruses on a regular basis, install an "on access" scanner (included in most anti-virus software packages) and configure it to start each time you start up your computer. This will protect your system by checking for viruses each time you run an executable file.

• Use a virus scan before you open any new programs or files that may contain executable code. This includes packaged software that you buy from the store as well as any program you might download from the Internet.

Keeping Computer Virus Free…

• If you are a member of an online community or chat room, be very careful about accepting files or clicking links that you find or that people send you within the community.

• Make sure you back up your data (documents, bookmark files, important email messages, etc.) on disc so that in the event of a virus infection, you do not lose valuable work.

• Scan all incoming email attachments• The more computers flash cards, CDs, zip cards and floppies

have been used on, the better the chance of a virus infecting them – clean them before use

Anti-viruses

• “Antivirus" is protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software. Malicious software, or "malware" includes: viruses, Trojans, keyloggers, hijackers, dialers, and other code that vandalizes or steals your computer contents. In order to be an effective defense, your antivirus software needs to run in the background at all times, and should be kept updated so it recognizes new versions of malicious software.

Some facts…

• Mydoom Virus in January 2004 infected almost 1 million computers in as little as one day

• Melissa Virus in March 1999 was powerful enough to have Microsoft and various other companies to shut down emailing systems until the virus could finally be stopped.

• Storm Worm in January 2007 was said to have infected 50,000 computers by October of that year.

• Over 6,000 new computer viruses are released every month.

Some facts…

• The first virus that came into wild was elk cloner virus.This virus was created by Richard Skrenta in 1981 when he was a student in high school.He created it as a joke and inserted it in a game on a floppy disk.The elk cloner virus get activated on its 50th use and displays a poem "Elk Cloner: The program with a personality."

• Farooq Alvi Brothers of Lahore,Pakistan created the first pc virus in 1986.It was a boot sector virus.

• The term virus to denote a self replicating program was first used in 1969 in a short story of a Galaxy Magaine written by David Gerrold.

Conclusion…

• I think with enough knowledge about viruses and the right kind of software they can almost be preventable, you just have to use common sense.

• Don’t open emails and download software that does not look like it is from a reliable source

• Download Software that prevents and helps protect against viruses

Thank You