Virus Protection: A Virus Won't Heal Itself?

Answer 1

Installed and up-to-date virus protection software is critical to uninterrupted computer functions. Invasive and destructive programs (group here all types of insidious trouble making software) account for the majority of system complications. Yet peculiar or unpredictable computer behavior is not proof of virus infection. Corrupted device drivers, damaged system or program files, faulty memory chips, and a failing hard drive can also create virus like symptoms. Learning to distinguish the difference can be complex, and is usually beyond the knowledge and skill level of the average computer user. Recovering from either problem can be time consuming and costly.

Take two preventive measures: 1) Install and practice hardware maintenance software and procedures; 2) Install and practice effective virus protection software and habits. This article will address virus protection.

Symptoms of Virus Invasion

Virus symptoms vary according to the type and degree of the attack. As a general guideline, expect a virus to attack your system’s hard disk boot sectors. This means that you will begin to notice erratic system startup activity that can range from abnormal boot messages to complete boot-up failure. System scans may reveal changes in the boot sector or memory map.

Failing and troublesome applications also indicate virus problems. Programs that have previously functioned without error may suddenly stop working. Your antiviral software (you do have one installed, right?) may indicate a change in memory resident programs.

The more fatal Malware attacks often commandeer your virus control software, making it nearly impossible to effectively apply the standard means of infection elimination. Because these type attacks nearly always involved repetitious screen pop-ups and warning, they are perhaps the easiest to notice and pinpoint. Expect also that they will include some form of sales push.

Some virus infections are related to specific programs. Their range of damage is often limited and not so subtle as boot sector attacks. These micro infections are most often associated to document processing files. They may affect document templates, or mailing routines, or spreadsheet save features.

Final Pointers

Any of these symptoms should not be ignored. The longer a virus remains active, the great the system damage, and the less likely a clean recovery. Get help quick. A virus will never heal itself.