Surgery
What Happens If I Get A Computer Virus?
If you think you have a virus on your computer, then there are a few options.
Most people running anti-virus software will get a message from their programme informing them that the virus has been spotted and isolated. It then usually provides them with a choice about the next course of action, which usually comes down to ‘fixing’ the virus, or deleting it. Choose to delete it. Most cannot be ‘fixed’ anyway and you don’t want that thing on your computer any longer than necessary. Zap it, immediately.
Most viruses arrive via email attachments, such as documents, or, increasingly popular these days, as part of instant messages. They can also come via downloads (such as free screen savers which are often virus ridden), or free software programmes (such as neat little games that amuse you whilst burying a Trojan deep into your computer). Remember that old saying, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Always think of that when you’re being offered free anything for your computer unless, of course, you know and trust the source.
Bear in mind that cyber criminals are exceedingly clever people; often cleverer than the people who write operating systems and application code for a living, so don’t underestimate them.
Think of it like this. Would you go to a run-down part of town, late at night, with no-one around and hang around on a street corner with your wallet/purse in your hand, with a sign around your neck which says Rob Me? No, most of us wouldn’t, but then many of us trawl the web without a thought of who might be out there ready to mug us.
If you are not running anti-virus software, or your current programme is out of date, you will eventually get a virus, depend upon it. And quite quickly. Computer users have to appreciate that there are millions of viruses out there and the majority are created not as a joke, but to steal identities, or money, or create zombies which then act as mass spam mailers
But the clever virus doesn’t announce itself. They operate in stealth mode. First they infiltrate your computer, then sit very quiet until they call their mother ship and get instructions for the next part of their nefarious existence.
The first thing you might know about having a virus is a rapidly emptying bank account. If you’re lucky, you might get a few of the classic signs. The first is that your computer becomes very slow, as though something is operating in the background that you can’t quite identify. But maybe it takes ages to load, or close applications, or respond to simple commands.
This is the key sign that a stealth virus is on board and beginning to operate. Another is a sudden flurry of annoying ads, or pop-ups.
Or another might be the inability to open your anti-virus programme’s update website, as the virus doesn’t like you doing that.
Once you suspect that you have a virus, take action immediately. If you can access your existing anti-virus programme manufacturer’s website, find out what they suggest in their Help section. Try and download an update. Do not pay for it by credit card over the web. If it’s office hours, then give them a call and pay for it over the phone. If it’s out of hours, then shut down your computer immediately and do the above when they are open again. Alternatively, rush out to the shops and invest in a multi-suite, all-singing, all-dancing anti-virus programme. Whack it into your computer and let it do its work.
Do not, I repeat, do not access any other websites, take emails, message anyone, or in fact do anything else, until you have either updated your existing anti-virus programme, or have acquired a new one.
Remember, if you suspect that you have a virus then stop right there. Get rid of it without delay, otherwise you could be in for one hell of a difficult ride.
