Most individuals do not take cybersecurity seriously. Here in Canada and specifically in Vancouver and Abbotsford, BC cyber security professionals are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after resources. This leads to severe repercussions in the long run. Some of the biggest data losses which have occurred for big corporations are due to malware and virus infections. Data Recovery is a big issue in BC. Viruses are pieces of code that hijack the system, copy themselves, and then spread on to other programs. When a computer virus gains control of a computer system and starts delivering its payload, the system slows down. However, not all viruses are the same. Some of them have additional behaviors that allow Security Professionals to easily identify them. Once the virus has been identified, then experts can take the necessary steps to classify them, and ultimately prevent other machines from falling victim to the same infection.
Some Common Computer Viruses
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the most common types of viruses that infect computer systems. We will also look at ways to remove them if you’re system is compromised, and of course preventative measures as well.
1. Browser Hijacker
Browser Hijackers do exactly what their name says. They take over the browser to run adware and spyware programs. This slows down the infected internet browser and in most cases makes it almost impossible to achieve normal online performance. Sometimes these viruses are also capable of stealing a user’s personal information as well. Sometimes users can get rid of them by frequently clearing their browser cache, data, cookies, and history. Anti-malware software also helps. However, in cases where the virus has gone undetected, then the user has to uninstall the browser itself and download the latest version again. If the virus is potent and elusive, it can also infect the core dependencies of the Operating System. The only recourse in a case like this is to back off the user’s data, format the drive, and perform a fresh reinstall the Operating System again.
2. Overwrite Virus
An overwriting virus is an extremely malicious program code that affects the user’s system. It edits the system code which affects the way a user interacts with the computer. This class of viruses consists of Trojan programs, worms, and other hacking tools. This malicious computer virus is extremely dangerous because it not only changes files and makes them completely unusable, but it also encrypts user data and steals information from the system. Over the long run, this computer virus can wreak havoc because it actually edits the core system files that are crucial for the computer to function properly. A good antivirus and anti-malware program are necessary to avoid this threat.
3. File Infector
File Infectors are computer viruses that attach themselves to system programs such as word processing software and spreadsheet software. After infecting these crucial programs, they can propagate to other systems and networks that utilize those same programs. This compromises multiple systems at a time and leads to significant data loss. To prevent this, users need to purchase and utilize a good antivirus program. In case the problem continues despite having an effective Antivirus program onboard, then uninstalling the affected program and reinstalling the latest version might help. A fresh reboot with a new operating system also works. Some of the most common viruses that have belonged to this class are the Jerusalem Virus and the Cascade Virus.
4. Network Virus
Network viruses are relatively new in the history of computer viruses. They attach themselves to packet data and move from computer to computer. They spread from computer to computer without having to drop a copy of itself on any of the infected computers. It does this by hiding within the transmitted network packets, as they move from system to system. This virus does not necessarily steal data, however, it does make the network slower. As it spreads through a network, it clogs data transfers and affects the way the computer system functions. With a proper network scanner, this problem can be easily taken care of. These anti-malware programs scan the network and packet data for any underlying virus programs and get rid of them.
5. Resident Virus
Resident Viruses are extremely potent, malicious programs. This is because they stay on the computer long after the infected program has been removed. Once they enter a system through an infected program, they proceed to infect any program that is run on that computer. Therefore, even after the infected code is long gone, they still wreak havoc in the system. They can corrupt an entire drive and sometimes the whole disk which results in substantial data loss. To protect the system from such computer viruses, it is essential to install a trusted antivirus program. These programs can detect a resident virus when it enters the system. Upon detection, the Antivirus program promptly quarantines the virus before it can infect other executable files. If the virus is already present, then the Antivirus will also immediately isolate and quarantine it, thus preventing it from infecting other programs. Many times, a system restart is required to remove the virus once it has been isolated and quarantined.
How to Detect and Remove Malicious Computer Viruses?
If you notice that some of your applications and programs are crashing then it might be the result of a computer virus. Viruses make computers run slower than usual because they clog the system software with unnecessary files. This makes the computer behave in unusual ways such as a fast-draining battery, extremely lagging performance, random restarts, and unauthorized files getting created all over the place. Another key indicator of spyware programs is that the browser starts pushing a lot of advertisements which makes it completely unusable. It installs unnecessary extensions and shady extensions onto the browser platform as well.
To get rid of these viruses, users should enter “Safe Mode” on the infected computer to detect virulent programs and eliminate them. Safe Mode only allows core Windows Operating System modules to run. No 3rd party applications such as Antivirus programs, Skype, Dropbox, or even Viruses are loaded automatically on startup. Instead, any programs that are required to run need to be started manually. This makes removal of resident Viruses easier, as they are not running in the background already. Users should delete all “Temporary Internet Files” before they proceed to install Antivirus software. They can use the Antivirus software to detect viruses and infected files. Once the scanning is done, the infected programs and files are cleaned or removed efficiently. It is important that users retain a backup copy of their files, otherwise, the infected files could be lost forever. If the problem persists after an Antivirus Scan, then seek assistance from an IT Professional. IT Professionals have the tools and expertise to often remove the virus without the need for a complete reinstall. However, if a reinstall is required, they can perform it while retaining all of your data.
Computer viruses affect users in unexpected ways. Each system shows unique problems based on the type of malware that has infected it. Therefore, users must educate themselves about the several kinds of viruses that exist so that they can take adequate steps to remove the viruses from their systems and prevent data loss. Since some of these programs steal personal data, it is all the more important to focus on what kinds of anti-malware programs users should utilize to protect the confidential information they have on their systems.
Get Professional Help and Rid your System from Viruses
Do not let harmful malicious programs get a hold of your computer and steal your private files. Get in touch with us to find expert help and solve all your malware and virus problems.
TSG Computer Services is a Vancouver-based IT Support company who specializes in Security and Solutions for Increased Productivity. Contact us now to see how we can help you.
