Computer viruses are still prevalent, no matter how smart [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. http:/ / www. glossynews. com/ aol/ index. php, anchor: AOL] gets in terms of protecting you, and how smart you think your $100/year anti-virus program is. Sad thing is, even as smart as technology is, even the virus blocking companies are reactive, rather than proactive.That means that each virus doesn't make the whole system smarter, assuming you've actually paid into it. No, it's a reactive system, which means that once a new virus emerges, your virus scan will have to identify it for the first time, label it as an individual thing, and combat it individually. Unlike the common cold, which will inoculate you against ten or a hundred similar colds, being safe from one computer virus means you're safe from one, and only one computer virus.
Here's how to avoid catching computer viruses. These days, they don't wipe out everything you have, because they're costly to create, so there has to be money in them in this, our market driven economy. If your compy catches a virus today, it's not vindictive so much as profitable, and the proprietors of these virii verily count on it.
They may show you popup ads when you're on any given website, or redirect you to their search page when you hit a 404-error page. You may even be redirected from other pages, even the likes of Google, when you type them in. They make mad millions off this, so it's up to you and me to stop them.
Here's what you do:
- Don't download any unauthorized software, not even ones you might think you might kind of want. Random, free software is often coupled with spyware and a virus, but the illegal stuff is almost always infected.
- Avoid porno sites. If you've got one you've paid to participate in, good for you, but stop it. I don't care what you do in your private life, really I don't, but the majority of porno sites either host viruses or link directly to pages that contain a virus.
- Don't open any attachment. Unless your email program shows you exactly what it is, it's probably a virus. My own mom sent me one, once, before I was savvy enough to know. She said, "my boss sent me this attachment and I can't open it!", and that was true, except that he didn't send it. It was a virus and it messed up my computer, even though the sender was (dumb and) trusted, and should have been safe… it wasn't.
- Never download an "exe" file. I know you love and trust Real Networks, iTunes and a gaggle of useless flash games, but seriously, don't trust them.
- If you get a "free CD" of software with your new Thumb Drive or digital camera, don't install it. I know these aren't technically viruses, but they can be awfully close to it. These programs add no value, slow your computer down, try to sell you stuff, and have no business being on your computer in the first place.
- Another really great way, assuming you're on Windows ME or newer (and if you're not, you really need to upgrade,) you can change yourself to a simple "user", which will forbid runaway systemic changes. That means that, if you want to install something, you'll have to logout and log back in as an "administrator". In the mean time, however, you won't get any new programs, system changes or 90% of viruses.
Don't just count on things like using FireFox or Opera to keep you safe, and surely don't count on any number of virus scanners, no matter how expensive they may be.
When I ran my own company, we had three unique virus scanners on our network, and we opened the browsing capacity for all users. Within two weeks we had nine-viruses and our company was nearly out of commission for a week. Expensive, sure, but effective? Not so much.
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