Facts about Viruses

[Malice]

I thought I would throw some information I have learned thru long and hard experience as a Security Administrator for a large company.

Note information here

Viruses
In computer security technology, a virus is a self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents. Thus, a computer virus behaves in a way similar to a biological virus, which spreads by inserting itself into living cells. Extending the analogy, the insertion of the virus into a program is termed infection, and the infected file (or executable code that is not part of a file) is called a host.

Now that you have heard a technical definition, I will explain what this means.
A virus simply is a small program that when executed, follows its own programming to replicate itself over and over in some fashion.

There are many different types of viruses exist. I will really only describe two.
The Worm and the Resident Virus since those tend to be the most prevalent in the wild of the Internet.

The Worm
The worm is a virus that is network aware. This means when a worm infects a computer it then engrains itself in the Operating System and then starts looking for other computers on a network to infect. Most worms actually dont cause many problems on the actualy computer, but they create nightmares for the actual Network that the computer sits on. This computer, starts sending THOUSANDS of requests from the infected computer looking for other computers to infect. This causes the network to become completely bogged down. Imagine a network of thousands of computers on it, all infected. This would basicaly take and any network and for the most part, cease it from functioning.

The Resident Virus
This virus usually is not network aware like the worm. When the resident virus infects a file, it integrates itself in the file waiting to be run. When then you run the file, in the background, the virus simply executes its payload. It infect other files and then runs in the background without your knowledge. It can then infect every file you run, thus spreading itself thru your actions.

How do I protect myself from viruses?
First, you MUST have an antivirus program. There are MANY out there you can purchase and there are a number that you can download for free.
I would reccommend one of the following:

AntiVirus Software you can Purchase

ETrust EZ Antivirus (http://home.ca.com/dr/sat2/ec_MAIN.Entry10?SP=10023&PN=1&xid=35715&V1=677538&CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0)
Symantec's Norton Antivirus (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat1/ec_MAIN.Entry16?SP=10024&PN=29&xid=49997&V1=31033612&V2=31033612&V3=1&V5=&V4=10&S1=&S2=&S3=&S4=&S5=&CUR=840&DSP=0&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=189667)
TrendMicro Antivirus (http://www.trendmicro.com/en/products/us/personal.htm)
Kapersky Anti-Virus (http://www.kaspersky.com/personal?AID=10273799&PID=1717916)
Mcafee Antivirus (http://us.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=100)


AntiVirus Software you can Download for Free

Grisoft Free Antivirus (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1)
Clam Antivirus (http://www.clamwin.com/)


No matter what, download and install an Antivirus product. Protect yourself and protect others by having one.

Second, make sure you consistantly update your antivirus programs definitions Definitions are additions to your program that help identify existing viruses and possibly help block ones that have yet to be identified. Most programs can be setup to downoad its updates automatically. But I reccommend running it by hand at least once a week to make sure you know its getting updated.

Third, do not open any email in which you do not know who its from. Simply delete it. Most viruse epidemics are started by people who are unaware and simply open programs, attachments to emails and emails they know nothing about. On your home computer, question everything everyone sends you.

Fourth, if you suspect you do have a virus I would suggest do the folowing.
1) Update your AntiVirus software immediately.
2) Scan your complete computer with your AntiVirus program you have installed.
3) Then go to Trend Micro's HouseCall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) website and have their free online scanner scan your pc as well.

This will then help your figure out if you have been infected.

[Steelsheen]

couldnt have said it better myself Malice :up:

can you do a write up about Spyware? its almost as bad as getting a Virus (if not worse).

[The Black Mask]

very informative.

[capnkirk_1701]

i just scanned for spyware and i have about 5000 :eek:

[Malice]

I was going to put spyware in the above...but ran out of time, so I will make a separate one for Spyware...

Are you guys installing AV products on your computers now?

[Holly Goodhead]

Thanks Malice, youre my hero.

[The Joker™]

one of my friends said that Kapersky Anti-Virus is the best i don't have it though.

is it true?

[Super Kal]

I'm glad there is someone out there who cares about this kind of problem. It would also help about posting the dangers of viruses through peer to peer programs...



I lost my computer 4 times to that, and I had 5 different anti virus programs running as well as 3 different firewalls...

[Malice]

one of my friends said that Kapersky Anti-Virus is the best i don't have it though.

is it true?

Each AV product is different, there are goods and bads about each...I cant say which is better than the other

[Steelsheen]

I'm glad there is someone out there who cares about this kind of problem. It would also help about posting the dangers of viruses through peer to peer programs...



I lost my computer 4 times to that, and I had 5 different anti virus programs running as well as 3 different firewalls...

were your AV and FW all software-based? if they were, you didnt have trouble getting your computer to run or connecting to the net? because different software AVs and FWs all running at the same time causes all sorts of issues.

[Super Kal]

I really cant remember... all I thought was I was protcected with some fine teeth, and I lost my coputer 4 times to a boot-record virus


no more P2P for me... ever.

[Malice]

Personally, I hate Software Firewalls...I leave my Router to handle firewall issues...so my PC does not have to deal with it.

I have not had a virus in about 6 years...

[Steelsheen]

I really cant remember... all I thought was I was protcected with some fine teeth, and I lost my coputer 4 times to a boot-record virus

no more P2P for me... ever.
oh well no wonder :D

also, if you opened up ports on your modem or router, that defeats the purpose of having a FW. and once the bots are in, there's only so much that an AV or an AS can do before the pests start taking over your pc.

[Malice]

If you do use a P2P service....make sure scan your downloads/uploads folder FREQUENTLY and always scan it before executing a file.

[POWdER-man]

I use Norton Antivirus, have a router, use Spybot and Adaware se to protect my computer.....I can't even remember when the last time I had a virus....:up: Of course not getting any notice, always makes me anxious....:(

[Equinox]

My computer is pretty well protected.. I have symantec Antivirus and antispy and all the latest windows updates and the firewalls are always on :O

[guitarsingerguy]

I have a question. I was told that virus software will drastically slow down your computer. Is this true?

[Malice]

I have a question. I was told that virus software will drastically slow down your computer. Is this true?
Yes, its very true

[Steelsheen]

I have a question. I was told that virus software will drastically slow down your computer. Is this true?
a virus or an antivirus software?

a virus will wreck havoc on your pc (read Malice's first post on the thread).

an antivirus software is supposed to help you prevent viruses from doing any/ further damage, but sometimes its a problem all on its own (causes system crashes, messes with net connection and all that fun stuff)

the golden rule is to never have 2 anti-virus software on the PC at the same time to avoid conflicts and instability.

[guitarsingerguy]

a virus or an antivirus software?

a virus will wreck havoc on your pc (read Malice's first post on the thread).

an antivirus software is supposed to help you prevent viruses from doing any/ further damage, but sometimes its a problem all on its own (causes system crashes, messes with net connection and all that fun stuff)

the golden rule is to never have 2 anti-virus software on the PC at the same time to avoid conflicts and instability.

I'm sorry. I meant anit virus software. I got a free copy of symanatec, and so far I haven't noticed any slow down problems. But if it is gonna slow down my performance, then I don't know if it's something I'm interested in having. There are always options if I accidentally get a virus to get rid of it.

[guitarsingerguy]

Yes, its very true

Sorry Malice, I meant anit-virse software if that changes the outcome at all.

[Steelsheen]

I'm sorry. I meant anit virus software. I got a free copy of symanatec, and so far I haven't noticed any slow down problems. But if it is gonna slow down my performance, then I don't know if it's something I'm interested in having. There are always options if I accidentally get a virus to get rid of it.
well count yourself lucky then. so far the issues with Norton (Symantec) Anti Virus seems to have died down, but now most of the problems i encounter with Symantec has something to do with the product Norton Internet Security, which is supposed to be the all-in-one protection suite (antivirus, firewall, antispyware). for the most part it works like a charm, but when it throws a fit, it can get pretty ugly.

[guitarsingerguy]

well count yourself lucky then. so far the issues with Norton (Symantec) Anti Virus seems to have died down, but now most of the problems i encounter with Symantec has something to do with the product Norton Internet Security, which is supposed to be the all-in-one protection suite (antivirus, firewall, antispyware). for the most part it works like a charm, but when it throws a fit, it can get pretty ugly.

I believe I had the option to download that as well, but I didn't. I wasn't exactly sure what it was.

[jaguarr]

I'll add another fact to the mix, here: There are NO known viruses, malware or spyware in the wild for Mac OS X. There has been one known proof of concept piece malware constructed in a laboratory setting, but due to the security structure of Mac OS X, malevolent software can't install itself onto a Mac without root user password authorization. Like most UNIX/Linux variants, couple this with the way the kernel is constructed in Mac OS X, which is a FreeBSD variant, and it's very difficult to construct virii or other malicious code which will propagate itself across multiple systems for that operating system. It's not to say that it's impossible, but it's much more difficult and has not been done to date. I'm sure someone will figure out a way to do it someday, and when that day comes there will then be 1 known virus for Mac OS X in comparison to the nearly 100,000 known virii that are in the wild for the Windows operating system. I'll also bet that security hole gets closed extremely fast, due to the open source community associated with FreeBSD's typically fast response to identified OS security holes and bugs.

Understand I am NOT bashing Windows, here. It has it's place in the computing world and I'm not here to debate that. But there are other operating systems out there besides Windows and they deserve mention when talking about malicious code, virii, malware and spyware.

Cheers,
jag

[guitarsingerguy]

I'll add another fact to the mix, here: There are NO known viruses, malware or spyware in the wild for Mac OS X. There has been one known proof of concept piece malware constructed in a laboratory setting, but due to the security structure of Mac OS X, malevolent software can't install itself onto a Mac without root user password authorization. Like most UNIX/Linux variants, couple this with the way the kernel is constructed in Mac OS X, which is a FreeBSD variant, and it's very difficult to construct virii or other malicious code which will propagate itself across multiple systems for that operating system. It's not to say that it's impossible, but it's much more difficult and has not been done to date. I'm sure someone will figure out a way to do it someday, and when that day comes there will then be 1 known virus for Mac OS X in comparison to the nearly 100,000 known virii that are in the wild for the Windows operating system. I'll also bet that security hole gets closed extremely fast, due to the open source community associated with FreeBSD's typically fast response to identified OS security holes and bugs.

Understand I am NOT bashing Windows, here. It has it's place in the computing world and I'm not here to debate that. But there are other operating systems out there besides Windows and they deserve mention when talking about malicious code, virii, malware and spyware.

Cheers,
jag

I just bought an ibook for school use. I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I don't know if it'll convert me to macs completely, but it definitely has its place in my household.

[jaguarr]

I just bought an ibook for school use. I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I don't know if it'll convert me to macs completely, but it definitely has its place in my household.

Cool! You know where to find me and Scarlet_spidey if you have Mac questions, man.

jag

[guitarsingerguy]

Cool! You know where to find me and Scarlet_spidey if you have Mac questions, man.

jag

Alright, you asked for it. :p Dumb new MAC user question #1 - My ibook shuts itself off after a period of time with no use. Where can I change or extend this time period? I've found where the sleep function is, but nothing to do with the laptop turning itself off. Also, do you know anywhere that I can find a REALLY extensive list of Apple key shortcut commands? That's all for now. Thanks.

[Wiccan]

I personally run the paid version of Kerio Personal Firewall and the free version of AVG (Anti-virus). I them set to auto update and run them daily at like 5am. Those constantly run in the background. *Kerio does offer a free version of their firewall.

*If you run a router, many contain firewalls - just make sure yours is configured properly.

I also have Ad-Aware (freeware), and Spy Sweeper for all those little, nasty, spyware programs that try and sneak onto your system. They can slow you down to a smails pace! All of a sudden that nice new PC runs like a cripple - you know. lol *One more freeware program is Spybot - just note this is not for the casual user, you can delete some important files using that, so be cautious.

Ewido Security Suite is the last thing I keep on hand. It is wonderful and designed for:
Hijackers and Spyware
Worms
Dialers
Trojans and Keyloggers
*Ewido will allow you to run a free scan here, you may be very surprised at what you find living on your system! http://www.ewido.net/en/

Ewido and the spyware programs I run on an intermittant basis, or if I notice a change in performance.

When it comes to spyware, it is a good idea to have more than one tool on hand in case the first program does not get your "bugs". No single program can find and eradicate all spyware.

There are a number of groups who will rate these programs for you - cnet being one of the better known. But read about them and pick the one that works for you and the one that you feel comfortable with...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All these things are very important esp if you go to some of the more notorius sites.

*** One more thing, your choice of web browsers will influence the number of spyware programs and vulnerabilities you are exposed to....
Internet Explorer is one of the riskiest to use - because they are the biggest target and peeps find their biggest pool of victims there. Also, since it comes on most PCs - the less tech savvy will automatically use it...
Firefox is butter, but does seem to be getting more attention lately from people wanting to cause problems.
Opera (just recently free) is probably your safest bet today. You have a good concentration of knowledgeable people working together to make it one of the best out there. I have been using Opera for the past 2 years, but do have all three on my system for specific applications. :p

[Spider-Who?]

oh great thread Malice. (you're to good to us) ;)

heres a question. i know i have viruses, spyware etc. Yeah, I have alot of really good free antivirus programs, but it doesnt seem to be doing the trick, which is causing a REALLY annoying warning bubble to pop up from my taskbar saying "Windows has detected spyware infection."

Now, its quite obvious that I already know this, but my computer cant know that I do, it just thinks i'm an ignorant prat. How can I stop this bubble from popping up while I save up some spare change to purchase an effective ad/spyware program? Now, I'm an animation major, and this damn bubble is making it really frustrating to work on my graduate portfolio pieces. :(

Any help would be kind.

[WeaponZ2]

I'v scanned my computer with Norton AntiVirus and Im infected, but I cant seem to do anything about it. When I click on any of the repair wizard options it doesnt do anything at all.
Could someone explain why this is?

[swifty]

@ Malice

in your honest opinion how well is my computer protected?

I use the latest Zone Alarm Free edition with both Avast and AVG running at the same time both having of course the latest virus definition. I also use Firefox 1.5 with no script extention as my main browser.

how would you compare Clam to AVAST or AVG? Is Clam better?

Thanks!!!!

oh! I almost forgot.....I also run adware and spywareblaster time to time.

[WeaponZ2]

I'v scanned my computer with Norton AntiVirus and Im infected, but I cant seem to do anything about it. When I click on any of the repair wizard options it doesnt do anything at all.
Could someone explain why this is?

^^^^^ Anyone? ^^^^^

[Honey Vibe]

AVG Anti-Virus is the best. It doesn't crash your system and runs quietly in the background. It also detects viruses the commercial software misses.

[Honey Vibe]

^^^^^ Anyone? ^^^^^
I'm no expert, but I suggest you de-install that piece of schist (a metamorphic rock :o ) and download AVG AntiVirus.

[Kable24]

I've never had a problem on my computer with Norton, but I just got done working on a computer that had the trojan.vundo and Norton kept picking it up, but would let me delete it, so I downloaded the two utilities that said would get rid of it and when I ran them they couldn't find any trace of Vundo, but Norton kept picking it up, so I uninstalled Norton ran SpySweeper and it pulled them out and let me delete them. I then downloaded Avast Antivirus and all is good.

[webhead731]

Why do we have viruses anyway?

I downloaded something off Rapidshare and I'm just wondering if I'll ever notice a virus if there was one.

Meh, this sucks. I hate being all worried and crap.

[Kable24]

Why do we have viruses anyway?

I downloaded something off Rapidshare and I'm just wondering if I'll ever notice a virus if there was one.

Meh, this sucks. I hate being all worried and crap.


Because there are these little prick corksuckers out there who thinks it's funny to try and destroy another persons property with their little viruses. If they would take a shower go outside and get some sun and at least buy a hooker they wouldn't be sitting behind there computer for 23 1/2 hours a day writing all kinds of vicious little bugs. There are scum and should be thrown in jail to get anally raped by a big huge 400 pound transexual with a 18 inch dick.

[webhead731]

lol.

That's what I thought.:)






Okay, maybe not.:p

[Malice]

Sounds like this has helped a few people...glad it helped...

[ComicChick]

glad u bumped this :up: