Virus and Spyware Information
Over the years we are occasionally approached by our
clients to helpout or advise regarding virus or spyware problems
they have encountered. We do not have space on here to advise or
warn over every problem encountered but from time to time we will
publish alerts or warnings over what we consider to be major threats
or problems. We hope the advice detailed below may help save you a
lot of heartache. Viruses and Spyware not only compromise your security but can
substantially slow down your computer.
Virus or Spyware?
We have all heard of computer viruses but the biggest danger now is probably
from Spyware or Malware which can often be picked up simply from visiting a
website.
The definition below may help explain the difference..
A virus is a piece of malicious software code written to cause some kind of
damage to a computer system or network. Viruses spread, similar to their
biological namesake, from one machine to another and can spread havoc wherever
they go. They are most commonly spread by sharing files with others or through
email attachments where they can be set up to send themselves to all the
addresses in your email address book.
Adware or Spyware is usually downloaded and installed along with some other
program without your knowledge and unlike a virus doesn't spread by itself. Very
often you click "OK" without reading the terms and conditions and by doing so
you agree to have the files installed. An example is you see a "free" program on
offer that you think might be useful and download it without thinking. Even some
so called anti-spyware programs install adware and the website earns money from the ads
that are clicked on.
The catch is that the extra files introduced are used to determine things like
your surfing habits and the data is used to serve up popup ads or redirect your
browser to a page other than the one you wanted. Some of the programs can be
used to install keyloggers which can send back information about passwords and
bank details etc. Adware is not a security problem it is more an annoyance
especially when you have ten different programs trying show ads. The amount of
computer resources it uses up slows your system to a crawl.
Spyware is more malicious and evil intentioned and is designed to steal
something from you. It can be downloaded by visiting the wrong types of websites
or along with other files the same way as adware. Spyware can often be hard to
remove as it can continually recreate itself and hide somewhere on your hard
drive.
Programs such as trojans can be used to allow access to hackers at a later date.
From the story of the Trojan horse where the Greeks hid inside the wooden horse
left as a peace offering and were wheeled in to the fort by the Trojans
themselves. Then at night the Greeks crept out of the horse and opened the gates
and let the enemy in. Trojans and adware, unlike viruses don't spread
themselves.
What Should you do?
There are many antivirus products on the market and some are better than others
but you can never entirely depend on them to protect to. Never open unknown
attachments in emails (especially .exe files or Zip Files) and if visiting
websites never install anything that you are
told is required to view the website except from that software's manufacturers
website (Eg Flash from Macromedia, windows items from Microsoft).
We have done a lot of research on the best protection for your PC and can now
recommend two products that should help protect you from these nasty things.
The first is a simple scanner/protector that will not only remove virtually
every known threat but can actually stop these applications. Called Malwarebytes
it is a front line protection for any nasty programs that may try to install
themselves on your computer whilst surfing the internet and can also scan and
remove those you may already have.
Malwarebytes can be found by clicking on the link below or copying and pasting
it into your browser. It is free to download and should you want to purchase the
instant protection feature it is only $24.95 (around £13.00) a small price to
pay to avoid a major breakdown of your computer.
http://www.beanwebs.co.uk/recommends/malwarebytes
The second recommendation is that you also
try AVG internet protection that not only provides an effective antivirus
program but also offers a firewall and total internet protection as well. This
is available on a free 30 day trial with bulk discounts for multiple purchases.
Unlike other anti virus software this seems to detect everything and with the
firewall (which is far superior to Windows own) applications on your computer
cannot access the internet without your permission.
Their site and products can be viewed here again by clicking on the link or
copying and pasting it into your browser.
http://www.beanwebs.co.uk/recommends/avg
Restoring Desktop Features
Very often when viruses are finally removed you may find that many of them have
disabled your desktop features. The scripts below will restore (or remove) those
features.
Add/Remove Themes
Change wallpaper
Enable Active Desktop
Enable Screensaver
