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Viruses New Threat: CryptoLocker
Computer viruses are written, they don't just happen. Malicious people
with more talent than intelligence write computer code to try to interrupt your work, delete
or corrupt your files, proppogate hijack your web browser to take you to web sites that you
probably would never go to on your own. All of this for the sheer excitement of causing problems.
It's a sad existence, but there are those who chose this.
Virus files are saved to your computer by one of a couple of methods.
Some viruses are either downloaded to your computer, by you or by the code written and saved on an
internet web site. Others are sent to you via an E-mail message. When you open the infected attachment,
it releases its payload and runs the program designed to reek havoc on your computer. Regardless of the
method of infection, a virus will try to propogate it to other computers by using your email to "send
itself" out to others with the addresses it finds in your contact lists. You should always pay close
attention to changes in the behavior of your computer.
The next two links will take you to the two
leading Anti Virus software makers websites, where you can enter a keyword
from the virus or virus warning message in order to get information
relating to a specified virus. For more information, click here.
McAfee Virus Information
Library
Symantec Virus
Encyclopedia
Malware, or Spyware
Malware, or Spyware software, is not destructive
in nature, but dangerous, nonetheless. These attacks are designed to get information from your computer
and send it back to someone looking for it. Attackers using this code, can capture passwords, and personal
by simply copying a "data mining" file on your computer. As you access your favorite web sites, these files
are used to transmit your personal information across the internet to its originating server. For more information,
click here.
Phishing and
Pharming are two of the newest types of information
gathering techniques used on your computer.
Alerts
There are organizations who are dedicated to warning the general public regarding
both attacks to our computers, as well as hoaxes. These two links may help determine if your computer has a
virus or if you are the target of a hoax.
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Web site
CERT
Advisories
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