How many viruses are there on the web? Estimates vary from 10,000 to a million, depending on how you calculate it. The trouble with computer viruses is that they are not only stealthy, but they morph as well. It is difficult to know whether something is a new virus, or simply a rehash of an old one. No matter what the number, it is important to protect your computer against viruses, which can steal information or cause damage. Here are four ways you can get computer virus repair and protection.
1. Install a Firewall
Firewalls control incoming and outgoing traffic from computer. They are usually software based systems that analyze data packets and determine whether or not to let information pass, acting as a bridge between network and computer.
2. Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is what most people think of when they think cyber security. Antivirus will protect against everything from trojan horses to spyware. They use several tactics to detect viruses and malware. One is to look for known data patterns usually left by viruses. In order to deal with new, unknown viruses, the antivirus will run unknown programs in a sandbox, which is a program that allows the file to run without having it affect the rest of your computer.
3. Computer Virus Repair
Fix an infected computer by taking several steps to eradicate the issue. First, check for operating patches in your computer. Then look for updates to your security software. Use your antivirus software to run a scan and delete questionable files, thereby removing computer viruses. If the worst happens and you need to reinstall your system, back up your files and then reinstall your operating system.
4. Stay Safe Online
Once you know your computer is bug free, take steps to prevent it from happening again. The average victim of cyber crime loses several hundred dollars. For the best online security, do not visit sites that your browser warns you against, only downloaded content from reputable websites, and use your credit card on sites that have secure processing.