Your computer is constantly under threat – threats from a variety of elements, like Virus, Worm, Trojan Horse, etc. Many people do not understand the differences between these elements. They categorize any programme affecting the computer to be a virus. No, it is not. We have therefore taken this topic up for discussions for a general understanding of the various threats that a computer faces today.
A computer virus is very similar to biological virus. Like the latter, computer virus makes your computer sick. It is basically a programme or a piece of code, which is loaded on a computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. It is designed to relentlessly replicate and infect and damage your programmes and files, and disrupt your system’s performance, sapping computer memory and even resulting in computer crashes.
A virus can sneak into your computer through your normal web activity without your getting any inkling, whatsoever. It can slip in while you are sharing music, files or photos with other users. Another way of getting infected is through an infected website. Many infections take place because of opening attachments to spam mail. In several cases, virus is introduced to your computer through pirated games, tool bars, system utilities, etc.
A virus can sneak into your computer through your normal web activity without your getting any inkling, whatsoever. It can slip in while you are sharing music, files or photos with other users. Another way of getting infected is through an infected website. Many infections take place because of opening attachments to spam mail. In several cases, virus is introduced to your computer through pirated games, tool bars, system utilities, etc.
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Computer worms are akin to computer viruses in so far as replication of programmes and files is concerned. Consequently, the damages are virtually the same on this score. However, the worms differ from the viruses in respect of its ability to operate on their own. A worm is a standalone software that does not need a host programme or human help to propagate. It exploits the vulnerability on the system or tricks you into executing it. Thus a computer worm takes the benefit of the file transport or information transport feature of your system that allows it to travel without any support.
A Computer Trojan Horse on the other hand does not reproduce and replicate. A Trojan Horse can however prove as menacing as the other threats. It is a set of harmful or malicious code which looks legitimate and is apparently harmless. The unique feature of Trojan Horse is that it spreads through user interaction like opening email attachment, downloading and running a file from the internet, etc. Once you are tricked into loading and executing it into the system, it can do a lot of damages through gaining control of your system and even stealing important data and information surreptitiously without your knowledge.
The threats to your computer are real and have to be tackled on a day-to-day basis. It is advisable to keep your Operating System as also the relevant anti-virus software up-to-date. Some simple precautions while downloading programme and software are however very necessary to thwart any attempt by undesirable elements to infiltrate your system.
The threats to your computer are real and have to be tackled on a day-to-day basis. It is advisable to keep your Operating System as also the relevant anti-virus software up-to-date. Some simple precautions while downloading programme and software are however very necessary to thwart any attempt by undesirable elements to infiltrate your system.
Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad
Designation: Executive Director
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
