Computer viruses have long been no stranger to those who use computers. They have a long history of development and are constantly changing according to the development of software technology in the world. Computer viruses can damage hard drives, delete data,… with many different levels of destruction. So what is a computer virus, and how does it work to infect?
What is a computer virus?
Computer viruses, also known as viruses, refer to program codes designed to infiltrate computers, for the purpose of stealing information, deleting data, sending anonymous emails, and automatically duplicating to spread. .
Previously, viruses were written for testing purposes, but later on, viruses became more dangerous as they were directed at stealing users’ personal information, creating opportunities for hackers to take control. manipulation or other actions for profit. In addition to these negative effects, the signs that the computer is infected with a virus are also its effects on the computer.
Currently, the Windows operating system is at the top of the list of virus-infected operating systems. Because the number of Windows users accounts for the majority, the number of viruses on this operating system is constantly increasing, with many different variations.
Ways of spread of computer viruses
Viruses can infect in many different ways and are becoming more and more sophisticated. There are two ways to spread viruses: through the Internet and through devices attached to the computer. Below are the most common ways computer viruses spread.
External devices
Viruses can spread to computers via USB, phones, and external hard drives. If these devices have viruses, the computer will be infected without protection measures.
Viruses are transmitted via the Internet
Today’s form of infection via the Internet is the most common and the main method.
Download files or software: When downloading files from the internet to your computer, if the file is infected with a virus, there is a high possibility that it will spread to your computer. You can download the file at 4pcworld.com we have tested all the software in detail
Viruses are transmitted via email: Email is the traditional way to communicate and exchange with each other to this day. The virus will find all contact emails in the list and automatically send mass emails. And when the email recipient clicks on the attached file, link, or in the email content itself, the virus quickly spreads exponentially.
Therefore, you should be careful with attachments and links in emails. If the message is sent from an address you do not know or trust, delete it instead of curiously clicking on the link or file in that email. You can use VPN to protect from internet
Online Advertising
If you click on an ad that contains malicious code, it can infect your computer with a virus. Cyber attackers insert malicious code into ads and place ads on trustworthy websites to easily lure users into clicking.
Malicious website
When clicking on links or downloading files on websites with malicious code installed, you can also be infected with viruses.
Fraudulent links and files
These types of links and files can appear anywhere on the Internet, from websites, social networks, and chat applications.
Virus spreads via Bluetooth and NFC
If you share data with other devices via mobile wireless connections such as Bluetooth or NFC, it can also cause your device to be infected with a virus. Therefore, you should turn off these connections when not in use or only share with devices that you feel are safe.
Viruses spread through security holes and backdoors of the operating system
In fact, if we look in detail, this method of infection is still through the above 3 routes. That is, when the operating system has a backdoor or security hole, the hacker still needs to have access to the computer (through an external device, malicious links/files) to spread the virus.
Recognize computer virus infection
So how do you know if your computer is infected with a virus? There are often some basic signs such as the computer running unusually slow, the computer screen constantly having errors such as blue screen errors, etc. then you can think of a virus infection.
How to prevent computer viruses?
Install anti-virus software
Installing anti-virus software is considered a traditional method of computer protection and should be done on every computer. The use of anti-virus software is essential for any computer user because of its convenience and safety in information security.
Famous software that you can trust to install on your computer are: Bkav, Kaspersky, Avira, AVG, ESET, Avast, BitDefender…
Use a security firewall
Just like anti-virus software, a firewall also needs to be used to protect your computer against harmful agents. The firewall will closely control the computer to immediately notify users when there is a problem.
Update operating system patches
Operating system vulnerabilities always create loopholes for viruses to penetrate computers. Therefore, users need to update Windows patches at the Microsoft Update website.
In addition to the above prevention methods, users also need to be wary of strange file types when copying from others, scan files for viruses before opening, and control software activities to detect unusual signs.
Hope this article is useful to you!
