Types of Computer Viruses

 

In the technological world, antivirus firewall software deals with two diverse methods of preventing a computer from being compromised. Antivirus software (also known as Internet Security Software) utilizes updated scanning technology that scans your computer looking for viruses that may have entered and infected your system. Once the "bad" software (a virus) has been detected, the antivirus engine can clean the infected file or delete it from your computer. Firewall software, in contrast, blocks access into and out of your PC which can prevent viruses, Trojans and various unwanted impostors from entering your computer's Operating System (OS) or file system. The firewall blocks certain communication ports, therefore protecting the computer from "bad" traffic that exploits known software bugs on specific ports. Both pieces of software aid in keeping viruses, worms and Trojan horses out of your computer.

 

Virus:

Internet security software is designed to work together in fighting multiple security threats; the first of which is called a computer virus. A computer virus is a little program written to attach itself to a normal program that is running on your PC. For example, the virus could piggyback onto your web browser, so that when you open your web browser the virus is started as well. Once this virus is executed it can reproduce itself by grabbing onto other programs causing all kinds of issues. This is why antivirus firewall software is so critical to the productivity of each computer system.

 

Trojan Horse:

A Trojan horse virus is tricky software that is based off, according to Greek mythology, of the gigantic, hollow wooden horse that was constructed by the Greeks to import their fighting men into the city of Troy under the guise of a peace offering. Trojan software acts like it is a certain program (like a game) but instead becomes a vicious piece of software when executed.

 

Email Virus:

An email virus reproduces by attaching to an email message that is sent to someone's email. It then emails itself out to every email address that was present on the address book of the "sick" computer. This type of virus software can replicate very quickly, can be harmful to each system it affects, and can cause major issues to corporate email servers and networks.

 

Worms:

A worm is an intelligent piece of software that replicates itself via computer networks and specific security holes. It makes its way into a PC and then uses its network connectivity to move from one computer to the next. Worms can move extremely fast which makes them very hard to detect because they do not stay in one place for too long.