Computer viruses have undergone a revolution in recent years. New viruses are being created every day, and older ones are getting their codes modified, making them more dangerous than ever before. But many PC users still do not know much about how viruses work, and how these infect PCs. Here are the top six virus myths prevalent among PC users:
Downloading a file onto a disk will prevent viruses from infecting the PC: This is an absolutely illogical idea. Downloading a virus-infected file may often cause the virus to be loaded into memory, allowing it to infect the hard disk as soon as the diskette is accessed in the PC.
Registered software tools or box-packed software cannot contain viruses: Though this is true in most cases, there is no surety of it. This is the reason there is always a statement somewhere in the disclaimer of almost every software program that is commercially available, which reads something like: “The developer is not responsible for any damages that may occur to PCs from the use of the software”. However, it is always true that in the case of registered or box-packed software, chances of virus infection are indeed, quite low.
Not downloading anything off the internet will ensure safety from viruses: This is not true at all. Many viruses are programmed to become active and transmit to the PC as soon as a particular link on a webpage is clicked.
Simply reading e-mail prevents virus infection: This is almost the same as the myth at number 3, and once again, some e-mails may contain viruses that are automatically loaded into memory the moment an infected e-mail is accessed.
Not connecting to the internet keeps a PC safe from viruses: Well, what about movie CDs or DVDs that are played on the PC? Or songs that are downloaded off optical discs or flash drives? Everything can be a source of virus these days, so not connecting the PC to the internet is not at all an effective security measure.
Viruses can be transmitted by viewing webpages only: This is not true either.
Viruses cannot be transmitted by simply viewing a webpage. There has to be a trigger, be it a link, or a file, that hackers have to use in order to infect a PC. However, some spyware can infect a PC when a webpage is just being viewed. But these are much less dangerous than viruses.
It is essential for every PC user these days to have some knowledge about computer viruses. Only through extensive knowledge can users beat virus creators at their own game.
Uniblue Systems is a Malta-based international software developer for the home and small office market. For more articles from Uniblue Systems with tips and information about computer use go to www.liutilities.com/articles/.