Why Users Get Computer Viruses & How to Avoid Them
The Internet has become the virtual go-to guy for users, mainly because you can find just about everything there is to be found on the Net: music, movies, web applications, online services, good old porn and the like. Most of them being free, which for us modern day cheapskates is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet. But alas, the best things in life are not free, and the more we indulge ourselves, the higher the risks of getting a computer virus (and repairs are unfortunately not free and will have you saying goodbye to your beloved Benjamins). Which is why it’s important to understand how exactly a user can contract a virus and how they can avoid it.
An antivirus program (which if you haven’t already installed one, should be your first priority) serves the purpose of preventing, detecting, and removing malware (malicious software) including, but not limited to, computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. However, it is important for you to understand that your antivirus software is not an omniscient thing and that it cannot reason like you and I, which is why it is your personal responsibility as a user to make the decision of whether to click, download, browse, etc. because ultimately, your computer will protect you from intrusive attacks, but it cannot protect you against yourself. So keep that in mind the next time you’re about to download some music or exciting yourself with online porn.
Furthermore, viruses won’t always come in the form of an attack (and if it did, your antivirus software is more than capable of quarantining or deleting them from your computer) and will often times come up online under the guise of a pop-up advertisement on a separate window. Should this occur, click nothing and immediately start, shut down, and reboot, because this is one of the quickest ways of unintentionally downloading viruses onto your computer system. Also use this method if you are unsure or skeptical about something while on the Web. Additionally, never open an email from an unknown source or even one from a family or friend that seems fishy, because this is how a worm can infiltrate your computer. And lastly, make sure that the websites that you visit are legit or at least will not harm you in the form of drive-by downloads or spyware as you could unknowingly initiate the download of unwanted or malicious software just by being there. With these tips, you should be able to lessen your chances of getting an infection and hopefully stay virus free while on the Net.
