Virus Awareness
The first tenet of warfare is this: know thy enemy. So what
exactly are computer viruses? Computer viruses are devious little
computer programs that attach themselves to legitimate program-hosts
and then engage in rampant self-replication. It's easy to be
fooled by their small size. Don't be. They're never small for
long. Computer viruses propagate like rabbits -- and by the time
you first recognize their presence, your data may be permanently
damaged or erased.
On this point, however, an important clarification must be made. Like biological
viruses, computer viruses are not inherently destructive. You're probably harboring
a fugitive cold virus in your body right now, even if you're not actually sick.
With both biological and computer viruses, you can be infected without being
affected. Your computer can be a veritable hive of viruses without exhibiting
any visible symptoms or actual damage. If not instructed to do otherwise, viruses
will quietly, unobtrusively and perpetually replicate. They're only destructive
if intentionally engineered to be so.
Malicious computer viruses contain a "payload" -- a programming element separate
from the self-replication code that executes its objectives. For example, a payload
might display a personalized message on your monitor. It might erase critical
data or program files, reformat your hard drive, or infiltrate your messaging
software and overload the local network with authorless e-mail. But not all computer
viruses are created equal. Some are full of sound and fury, yet signify nothing.
Others are silent but deadly. In general, though, computer viruses are of three
main types:
Macro Viruses: These are the most prevalent type of virus today. Unlike conventional
viruses which can attach to virtually any program, macro viruses prey on specific
programs. A macro itself is an instruction code that automatically executes other
program commands. Many popular and prominent software applications utilize macros
extensively. Essentially, macro viruses are macros that embed within a program
and self-replicate.
Macro viruses that run on Microsoft applications like Word and Excel are particularly
common -- chiefly because certain programming strategies employed by these applications
make them particularly susceptible. Macro viruses work like this: when an infected
document is initially opened, the macro virus embeds itself in the associated
application and then proceeds to attach itself to every subsequent document created.
In this way, the macro virus is unwittingly disseminated whenever the user transfers
a document.
Parasitic Viruses: These are the most infectious type of virus. Parasitic viruses
attach themselves to executable programs like .com or .exe files. Once an infected
file is launched, the virus is free to replicate itself, embed in primary memory,
or release its payload. Further, it can corrupt not just specific programs, but
virtually any program being processed in RAM.
Boot Sector Viruses: The boot sector is essential software that resides on hard,
floppy or optical disk, and is responsible for loading your operating system
into memory at the start of a computing session. Boot sector viruses penetrate
this vital boot sector and alter its contents. As opposed to macro viruses, boot
sector viruses are spread not by sharing documents, but diskettes. Whenever new
diskettes are introduced to a previously infected computer, the boot sector virus
is transferred to the healthy diskette, which then conveys the virus to other
computers, and so on.
These are all considered true computer viruses. Another commonly-observed form
of computer pestilence (though not literally a virus) is the worm. Worms differ
from viruses in that they do not require a host to wreak their havoc. Other viruses
are referred to as Trojan Horses. Trojan Horses are viruses that masquerade as
legitimate programs, documents or other software, only to reveal their true function
later. Trojan Horse viruses are often spread through e-mail or online bulletin
boards.
Certainly no one would knowingly expose their computer to a virus. Unknowingly,
however, thousands daily place their machines in peril. Ignorance is no excuse,
though -- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The following are
some common troubleshooting techniques for keeping your computer virus-free:
-
Always rely on a reputable anti-virus software applications like Norton or
McAfee.
- Always scan new files,
diskettes or software before
loading them on your machine.
- Always back-up critical
software or files to avoid
permanent loss due to infection
or deletion.
- Always be wary of strange
operating tics or unusual
graphics.
- Always ensure vigilance
from the other members
on your computer or network.
- Always write-protect
your system and program
disks.
- Always enable Macro Virus
Protection in all Microsoft
applications.
- Never share diskettes
or software without assuring
their integrity.
- Never download e-mail
or Internet files/programs
without scanning them first.
- Never act on an e-mail
virus alert without confirmation
from an IT professional
or trustworthy resource.
- Never boot your system
with a diskette other than
the original.
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