What is Computer Virus?

1. What is Computer Virus? • A computer virus can be defined as an executable program, that is capable of infecting other computer programs by modifying them to include a copy of itself. • Example, just the way people can spread the common cold by being in contact with other people. Similarly, a computer virus when comes in contact with other programs, it infects them. By infecting programs, it could damage your computer by destroying important files, corrupting data by slowing down the computer, interrupting or unexpected closing of important programs.

2. Evolution of Security Challenges Target and Scope of Damage Time from knowledge of vulnerability to release of exploit is shrinking Seconds GlobalInfrastructureImpact RegionalNetworks MultipleNetworks IndividualNetworks IndividualComputer • Next Gen • Infrastructure hacking • Flash threats • Massive worm driven • DDoS • Damaging payload viruses and worms Minutes • 3rd Gen • Network DoS • Blended threat (worm + virus+ trojan) • Turbo worms • Widespread system hacking Days Weeks • 2nd Gen • Macro viruses • E-mail • DoS • Limited hacking • 1st Gen • Boot viruses 1980s 1990s Today Future

3. First viruses in PC history • The computer virus has completed 25 years. • 'Elk Cloner', the first computer virus which started circulating in 1982 • "Brain" was the first virus to hit computers running Microsoft's popular operating system DOS in 1986. Written by two Pakistani brothers, Basit Farooq Alvi and his brother Amjad Farooq Alvi, the virus left the phone number of their computer repair shop. BusinessWeek magazine called the virus the Pakistani flu

4. How to Make Your PC Secure at Work & Home? • Make sure your computer has good passwords • Patch your machine regularly • Install an anti-spyware product • Use an anti-virus product and update it regularly • Use a router-based firewall or install a personal firewall • Know what is running on your system • Use good internet practice

5. Automatic Updates of MS Windows Operating Systems • All Windows OS patches can be accessed here: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp • You can set up your Microsoft operating system to check for updates automatically • Using Windows 2000 and Windows XP: Click on the Start button > Control Panel > System • Using Windows 98 and Me: Click on Start > Control Panel > Automatic Updates

6. Automatic Updates of MS Windows Operating Systems • Using Windows 2000 or XP, select System then click on the Automatic Updates tab • Be sure the check box near the top is checked, then select the radio button which suits you. • Using Windows 98 or Me select the Automatic Updates icon (this next screen will differ slightly)

7. Internet banking Security • Never respond to emails that request personal information • Keep your password top secret and change them often • Never use cyber cafes to access your online accounts • may be infested with viruses that can capture and transmit your personal data to fraudsters. • Keep your computer secure • Check the website you are visiting is secure • If the address bar is visible, the URL should start with ‘https://’ (‘s’ for secured) rather that the usual ‘http://’. • look for a lock icon on the browser's status bar • Validate the SSL Certificate • If you are in any doubt, click on the lock icon at the bottom of the secured page. This opens up a new window, displaying the SSL certificate information • Ensure that there is no red cross mark preceding the title ‘Certificate Information’.