The Computer Virus Melissa - Are You Safe From It?

There are a number of different computer viruses that have become very well known. Even the man in the street is familiar with them, not just computer nerds. One of these is the computer virus Melissa.

What is it?

The Melissa computer virus caused havoc to many computer networks by causing email messages to be sent that contained a copy of itself. This caused the email servers to become swamped with the number of emails that were being sent.

Although it is generally referred to as a computer virus, Melissa is actually correctly called a computer worm. This is because it can replicate itself but doesn't need to be transported in a host file.

How it works

Melissa affects users that have Microsoft Word 97 and Word 2000. When a computer is infected the program runs a macro and then tries to mass mail itself. It searches for the email program Outlook 97 or 98. If found, it will take the first 50 email addresses and email itself to them. The program doesn't work with any other versions of Word or Outlook. At the time of the first outbreak in 1999, these were the most popular versions being used.

Who created it?

The program was created by David Smith from New Jersey. He named the program after a lap dancer that he met in Florida. He was eventually caught and sentenced to 20 months in prison and fined $5,000.

Protection from Melissa

It is now quite easy to protect your self from the Melissa computer virus. All of the most recent antivirus software will have this program in the virus databases. New variations of computer viruses are being brought out all the time, including some variations on the original Melissa program. This emphasizes the need to keep your antivirus software up to date and download any recommended security patches from Microsoft.

Learn more about free virus software by visiting http://www.top-antivirus-software.com. Can free antivirus programs be better than paid? The results are surprising.

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Virus Software Is Useless (Anti Virus)

Do you know why people have virus software, well let me tell you, it's not to keep your computer safe, it's to line corporate pockets with your cash, think about it, someone asks you what virus software you use; it's either the product that came with your computer or something you have seen advertised everywhere, so what makes virus software sell so well?

2 things actually:
1. Companies spending millions a year on advertising.
2. Shops getting a cut for every product they sell.

It's a win win situation if you are in the supply chain that is, if you are the end user, oh boy you have a big problem, here's why, you've got a product that you think you own but the truth is you only rent, companies have to get there money back for all the advertising they've spent, lets face it, companies are in the business of making money and they are out to get cash off you!

The Scam
You go out buy virus software wither they add the price onto the purchase cost of the PC or you buy virus software itself, you bought it, so what's the catch you ask?, well a 1 year later you find you need to buy a license to update the software and every year after that, so why do they not sell virus software as a rental product?

You see once you think you have bought the software the company have established a link of trust with you, don't fall for it, what can you do about it?, firstly you need to understand how virus software works, do you know for every virus, virus software manufacturers need to write a fix?, based on this, your software needs to have every fix for every virus written and going to be written, and what's the chance of that, let me tell you, none.

So where does this leave us, well it leaves you in a situation that you need to research all virus software thoroughly before you buy to make sure you get the virus software with the most fixes, here's something you can do, look for reviews on virus products on Google and see what the IT experts recommend, write down a list of products you find.

Now for the clever part, virus software companies call the virus fixes "virus definitions", so now you have a list of virus products you need to check with each manufacturer how many viruses there software will protect your computer against. yup and you've guessed it, you buy the software with the most "virus definitions".

If you want to see how good a job your virus software is doing try these easy 3 steps:
1. Open "Windows Task Manager".
2. Tick "show processes from all users".
3. Enter all the "image Name's" into a search engine to see if the file name is associated with something harmful, if so remove the file.

David Armstrong. Owner of: FasterComputerSecrets.com how to make your computer faster

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Armstrong

Definition of Computers Virus and Worm

The differences between computer virus and worm

The information below gathered from several resources on the Internet regarding the differences between viruses and worms.

A computer VIRUS is delivered by e-mail messages, which are designed to spread themselves from one file or folder to another on each computer. A virus might rapidly infect every application file on a single computer, or slowly infect the documents on that computer, but it does not intentionally try to spread itself from that computer to other computers. In most cases, that’s where users come in. It cans spread by email document attachments, trade programs on diskettes, or copy files to file servers and so on. When the next unsuspecting user receives the infected file or disk, they spread the virus to their computer. It infects a “host” (a file, boot sector, etc.) and then looks for ways to spread. The major things setting it apart from other malware are that it replicates itself and infects other files instead of existing as a standalone file. Viruses can be very harmful (e.g., erasing or damaging files) or they can be relatively benign.

But a computer WORM spreads through the internet connection or on the other hand, is insidious because they rely less on human behavior in order to spread from one computer to another. It is a program that is designed to copy itself from one computer to another over a network. The worm spreads itself to many computers over a network, and doesn’t wait for a human being to help. This means that computer worms spread much more rapidly than computer viruses. Worms do not attach themselves to a host program or file the way a virus does, but worms reside in active memory and stand alone with no need for a host. A worm does replicate itself like a virus, but it doesn’t do so by altering files. Instead, it replicates over computer networks.

“Malware” is used to describe any and all malicious software, including viruses, Trojan horse programs, and worms.

A TROJAN HORSE program does not replicate itself, and it does not infect other files. A

Trojan horse program is a malicious program that is contained within, or masquerades as, an innocent and useful program. The most widespread type of Trojan program is the type that installs “backdoor” access to a computer, through which a malicious person is allowed to remotely take control of the infected computer. The next most popular type is designed simply to steal passwords, credit card numbers, online banking data, or other personal information and send that information back to the malicious party. Often, a Trojan program arrives, unknown to the victim, along with a screen saver or game. When the screen saver or game is run, it is designed to then install the Trojan program that is included with it.

2008 recommended Anti Virus software reviews

Information below is gathered based on others several resources on the Internet.

1. Bit defender

BitDefender is very easy to use, easy to install, has a great feature set and at lower price, it won’t break your account. Anybody who almost on the Internet knows the importance of virus protection software, so that BitDefender will keep your computer free without a virus and running smoothly. Defense against computer viruses, spyware, hackers and spam.

2. Kaspersky

Kaspersky is an easy-to-use program for the average person with lot of customizable options for an advanced user. Just install and set up this software and no need to worry about a virus or worm infecting your computer. Passes nearly all of the major virus tests, has hourly definition updates and offers an extensive feature set.

3. ESET Nod32

Nod32 is a top ten antivirus software that offers several levels of protection. However, the product is hard to understand because of it's technical jargon and it's suitable for advanced user. Monitor your computer's security including outbreak notices and history/report logging.

4. Trend Micro (PC-Cillin)

This program provide protection as well as its competitors but BitDefender is more affordable priced and Kaspersky, at the same price. This program scans faster and updates more often.

5. F-Secure Anti-Virus

Anybody can install F-Secure and be worry free about viruses infecting their computer. With this program in your computer, you can quickly know if you are up to date on your virus definitions, and see if there is anything you should be worry about.

6. McAfee VirusScan

McAfee does an excellent job at protecting your computer from viruses. Their update process can be somewhat tedious and their support department needs to answer their emails in a timelier manner.

7. Norton AntiVirus

Norton Antivirus provides a superior defense against common Internet threats. However, we would like to see this product include registry startup protection and technical support by telephone.

8. AVG Anti-Virus Pro

AVG Anti-Virus didn't pass the West Coast Lab's level 2 test and the price is more expensive . You can find better antivirus software for that price.

9. CA Antivirus

Anti-Virus by CA is an inexpensive anti virus program for protecting your computer. However, the Gold, Silver and Bronze products offer a larger feature set.

10. Norman Virus Control

Norman Virus Control is a reliable program that will cure your computer from annoying threats. It isn't as user-friendly and easy to use as some of the higher-ranking programs.