Viruses

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Viruses
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• What is a virus?
• Malicious computer program
• Wants to do as much damage to your computer as
  possible
• How do you get a virus?
• Swapping disks,
• Downloading files
• Opening attachments in email
• Connecting to the network.

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Types of Viruses

• Worm keeps making copies
• It wants to use system resources.
• Trojan Horse Looks good initially but once it
  gets in attacks your computer in the background.
• Stealth Virus Makes your computer think that
  its not there.. Usually sit dormant for awhile
  and then attack at a precise date.

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Viruses (Cont)

• Macro virus stored as part of an application
  document.
• Usually stored in MS word, excel
• Hoax virus trys to make you think that there
  is a virus when there is really not one.
• Usually tells you to email all your friends about
  the virus.
• If everyone sends email this uses resources and
  subsequently stalls the network
• Retro virus a virus that attacks your
  anti-virus software.
• Typically viruses want to be stored in your
  system files
• System files are harder to delete

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Firewall

• Firewall can be both software and hardware.
• Block unauthorized use to the internet
• People trying to access your computer and sites
  that you are trying to access can both be
  blocked.

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Virus Protection

• Norton/Mcaffee/NicroSoft
• Types of anti-virus software
• Whats the difference between a scan function in
  the antivirus program verses leaving the program
  active in memory.
• Scan function
• Has to be initiated by the user
• Scans all files
• Active in memory
• Scans only currently open files
• Working all the time in the background

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Virus Protection (Cont)

• Security patches
• Fix bugs/problems in the software
• Typically will prevent viruses
• Microsoft does a lot of this
• When can a computer be infected by a virus?
• Anytime.
• What should you do if you get a virus
• Run anti-virus software
• Do you need an antivirus program and firewall
• Sure it cant hurt

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• Spyware monitors your computer to see what your
  doing
• ADware displays adds (usually selling stuff) on
  your computer
• Very annoying pop up periodically

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Other Concerns

• Identity theft somebody poses as you
• Steal your credit card or something
• Password plus system- password constantly
  changes.
• Static Passwords a one time password
• Doesnt change a lot
• Keystroke Recorder Monitor what you are typing
  on your computer
• Not good because they can steal passwords/credit
  cards
• Phishing posing as a legitimate company
• For example someone could pose as ticketmaster so
  when you give them your credit card they actually
  get all you info
• Drive-by download when you visit a website they
  download things (usually bad things) to your
  computer.