A computer virus is a form of malicious software that attaches to legitimate application code to spread and reproduce. Like other types of malware, a virus is deployed by attackers to damage or gain control of a computer. His name comes from the method by which he infects his targets. A computer virus attaches, overwrites or otherwise replaces another program in order to reproduce without your knowledge. This can quickly use all available memory on your computer, slowing down or stopping your system. Viruses can damage data, destroy files, format hard disks, or make disks unreadable. A computer virus has the ability to corrupt or delete data on your computer and it can use an email program to spread the virus to other email addresses in your online address book. In the worst case, it can even delete everything on your hard drive.

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How does a computer virus find me?

Even if you pay attention, you can catch computer viruses through normal web activities such as:

• Sharing music, files or photos with other users
• Visit an infected website
• Opening an unwanted email or attachment
• Download free games, toolbars, media players, and other system utilities
• Install classic software applications without carefully reading license agreements

Forms of Computer Viruses

In the same way that viruses damage people, computer viruses can cause considerable damage to computer systems. Viruses are infections. Computer infections can take many forms and your computer can “catch” them in one of several ways:

• A mail virus is a type of computer virus. A mail virus can cross e-mail attachments and automatically replicate itself by sending mail to dozens or even hundreds of people on your contact list in your online address book. Some mail viruses can get into your computer when you just view the message. You do not even need to double-click on the message to get the message installed.
• A Trojan horse is not a virus. It’s a computer program that pretends to be a game but that, in reality, will only cause damage once you run it. It can even erase your hard drive. It can not replicate automatically.
• A worm is a type of software called malware that uses security vulnerabilities and computer networks to replicate. The worm will scan the network for machines with a particular security vulnerability. He then copies himself into the security slot on the machine and begins to replicate.

What are the signs of a computer virus?

Just as the influenza virus begins to show symptoms when it infects the human body, so the presence of a computer virus can be felt with a variety of symptoms. Some of the symptoms that explain the presence of computer viruses are:

• Home page changes: You may notice that the web browser’s home page automatically changes to another website. Moreover, it will be difficult to reset it again.
• Frequent Pop-ups: Certain characteristics of a computer virus will produce unnecessary pop-ups and encourage you to visit unintentional websites.
  Bulk email sending from your email address: Someone can grab your email id or send bulk emails on your behalf from different infected computers.
• Frequent crashes: As you know, a computer virus works on some hard drives. They can cause serious damage and lead to frequent freezing of the device. In some cases, the device may not turn on again.
• Slow computer performance: If your device got sluggish suddenly, it might set some computer viruses present in your system.
• Unknown programs running on your system: You may have noticed that unknown programs appear when you start your system. Or if you look at the list of active apps, you find an unknown app, this is  safe information about the presence of computer viruses in your device.
• Strange activities like changing password: As the definition of a computer virus says, it can modify a legitimate program. So, if the virus code changes your password, it will prevent you from logging into the system.

How to protect against computer viruses

When you hurt yourself with information and resources, you are wiser to cyber security threats and less vulnerable to threat tactics. Follow these steps to protect your PC with the best protection against computer viruses:

1. Use virus protection and a firewall
2. Get Anti-spyware software
3. Always keep your Antivirus and Anti-spyware protection software up-to-date
4. Update your operating system regularly
5. Increase the security settings of your browser.
6. Avoid questionable websites
7. Download only software from sites you trust.
8. Carefully evaluate free software and file-sharing applications before downloading them.
9. Do not open messages from unknown senders
10. Remove immediately any messages you suspect to be spam

An unprotected computer is like an open door to computer viruses. Firewalls monitor Internet traffic in and out of your computer and hide your computer from online fraudsters for easy targets. Products like Ram Internet Security and Ram Ultimate Antivirus offer comprehensive protection against the two most dangerous Internet threats: spyware and computer viruses. They defeat the threats before they can enter your computer, guard each possible entry of your computer and repel any computer virus that tries to open, even the most damaging and devious strains.

While free antivirus test downloads are available, they simply can not provide the help you need to combat computer viruses to cope with the ongoing attack of new strains. Polymorphic forms of malware previously undetected are often the most damaging. It is therefore essential to have an antivirus protection guaranteed to the minute.