In today's world, viruses are one of the leading causes of computer failure and system crashes.  Viruses range from the lightly annoying to the extremely destructive variety that can wipe out your hole system.  Viruses are also a major threat to businesses and home PC users because some viruses give complete control of your system over to a hacker which allows them to possibly access sensitive information such as financial records or company secrets.

What are computer viruses?

How does a PC become infected with viruses?

How can I stop viruses?

The first thing to remember is that there are several types of viruses that a PC can contract:

• Standard computer virus
• "Rabbit" viruses
• "Worm" viruses
• Trojan horses
• Backdoor viruses

A standard computer virus typically infects system files and makes your computer perform less than optimally.  A rabbit makes hundreds of copies of itself and files up your hard drive.  Worms generally mass-email themselves out to any e-mail address they can find on your PC.  Trojan horses are generally dormant viruses that open "ports" over the internet so that hackers or other viruses can get access to your PC.  Backdoor viruses are similar to Trojan horses, though they usually are harder to detect and allow access to your PC.

"How does a PC become infected with viruses?"

• E-mail attachments you may have attempted to open.
• Some websites are infected with viruses that automatically download when you view the site.
• Through file-sharing programs like Napster, Kazaa, Bearshare, Limewire, eDonkey, WinMX, etc.*
• Some viruses transmit through instant messaging program like AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, and ICQ.
• Some viruses are transmitted via floppy disks and other media.
• Some software programs you download from the internet are infected with Spyware or other malicious code that many Anti-virus software programs identify and remove.
• Many new viruses are "network-ware" and will spread to any PC connected to it's network, whether that's across the Internet or on a local or wide-area network.

"How can I stop viruses?"

• Purchase, install, & update a strong Anti-virus software package***.  ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. recommends Norton Antivirus 2007 for home users, and Symantec Antivirus Corporate or Small Business editions for businesses.  Symantec is the industry leader in virus detection and removal.  They make the computer industry's most trusted Anti-virus solution.  There are also several other Anti-virus programs that work as well, such as Network Associates' McAfee, Panda Antivirus, and Kaspersky Antivirus software.  If your PC or office has an Internet connection or exchanges e-mail with anyone, this is essential.
• Don't open e-mail attachments unless you're expecting them.  If you are expecting an attachment, make sure you have your Anti-virus software running so it can scan the file as you save or open it.
• Don't accept files sent via instant messaging programs unless you are expecting the file and know the person you're receiving it from.  Again, make sure your Anti-virus software is running in the background so it can scan that file as you save or open it.
• Don't use memory cards, flash drives, or floppy disks that you haven't scanned with Anti-virus software.
• Make sure your Anti-virus software is running in the background whenever you're surfing the web, as many sites are infected with viruses and malicious code that can infect your PC.
• Purchase a firewall.  If you are on a dial-up connection the best you can do is to use a firewall software program such as ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, or Panda Platinum Internet Security.  Service Pack 2** for Windows XP also comes with a built-in firewall that has features built-in to notify you when certain programs are trying to access the Internet from your PC.  If you have a broadband or high-speed Internet connection, you should have a firewall built into your cable modem, DSL modem, or a router device plugged in between your PC and the rest of the internet.  Check with your Internet Service Provider to see if you have a router device or not.  A combination of hardware and software firewalls always provides the best protection, though the hardware firewall is usually your best defense.

ABS has special removal tools that can detect and remove viruses that refuse to be removed by conventional means.  If you are plagued by a virus on your PC and need it removed, call us at 308-381-6500 or toll free at 800-297-2667 to schedule an in-store or on-site appointment for Spyware removal.

*Please note that ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. does NOT recommend the use of any of these programs for two reasons.  First, illegally pirated content such as movies, music, and software can be downloaded from these sources.  Second, these programs open up "ports" over the internet that allow viruses and other malicious content to affect your PC.

**Please note that Service Pack 2 is a very large download and should not be attempted over dial-up.  Instead, consider ordering an SP2 CD-ROM from Microsoft.  Also, certain software programs are not compatible with Service Pack 2 without a program update, and any other software that is not compatible with Service Pack 2 at all and may stop functioning.  ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. takes no responsibility for programs that cease to function after the installation of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, nor do we make any warranties, expressed or implied, by suggesting you install it on your system.  Please check with the software manufacturers for the programs installed on your PC prior to updating to SP2 in order to avoid software complications.

***Please note that ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. makes no warranties, expressed or implied, guaranteeing the success of virus removal when using any available Anti-virus software, nor is ABS affiliated with any particular Anti-virus software vendor.  The above links are provided as a convenience to you as a customer, and as such we can take no responsibility for damage to your PC, lost data, or conflicts in Windows or other software programs that may be caused by installation, update, scanning, or component removal by any of these programs.