The most costly computer viruses
In the early days of personal computing, computer viruses were generally spread by sharing floppy disks with friends or co-workers. As the internet became more ubiquitous, viruses began spreading much more rapidly, and the damage they could cause increased exponentially. Today, viruses can cause billions of dollars in damage, and can even be used to launch attacks on critical infrastructure.
The most costly computer virus in history is probably the MyDoom virus, which caused an estimated $38 billion in damage when it was released in 2004. The virus was spread via email, and caused infected computers to launchDenial of Service attacks against a number of websites, including the website of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Interestingly, the MyDoom virus was not created with the intention of causing damage. The virus was actually created by a computer programmer who was hired by a person or persons unknown to create a virus that would disable a rival website. The programmer unintentionally created a virus that was far more virulent than he or she intended, and the damage caused was completely unintentional.
The MyDoom virus is not the only example of a computer virus causing billions of dollars in damage. In 2010, the Stuxnet virus was used to attack the Iranian nuclear facility at Natanz. The virus caused centrifuges at the facility to spin out of control,breaks ankles, and ultimately caused significant damage to the nuclear facility.
Stuxnet was a highly sophisticated virus, and is believed to have been created by a team of programmers working for the United States and Israel. The virus was designed specifically to target the Iranian nuclear facility, and was not intended to cause damage to any other computer systems.
While the MyDoom and Stuxnet viruses are the most costly in terms of damage caused, they are not the only viruses that have caused billions of dollars in damage. In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware virus infected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries, and caused an estimated $4 billion in damage.
The WannaCry virus was spread via email, and encrypted the files on infected computers, making them inaccessible to the owners. The virus then demanded a ransom be paid in order to decrypt the files, and many people paid the ransom, although there is no guarantee that they actually received the decryption key.
Despite the fact that computer viruses can cause billions of dollars in damage, it is important to remember that the vast majority of viruses are not created with the intention of causing damage. In most cases, viruses are created by people who are simply curious about how they work, or who want to see if they can create a virus that will spread widely.
While there are some people who deliberately create viruses for malicious purposes, such as the MyDoom virus, the vast majority of viruses are not created with malice aforethought..Resource
How to keep your computer virus-free
Computers are essential in today’s world. We use them for work, communication, and entertainment. But as reliance on computers has grown, so has the risk of viruses and other malicious software, also known as malware.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your computer from viruses and other malware. Here are 10 tips to help you keep your computer virus-free.
1. Keep your operating system and software up-to-date
One of the best ways to protect your computer from viruses and other malware is to keep your operating system and software up-to-date. Software companies regularly release updates that patch security holes and vulnerabilities. If you don’t install these updates, your computer will be vulnerable to attack.
Most operating systems and software can be set to update automatically. Windows, for example, can be configured to install updates automatically. Alternatively, you can check for updates manually and install them as needed.
2. Use an antivirus program
An antivirus program is software that can detect, block, and remove viruses and other malware. Antivirus programs use signatures and heuristics to identify malware. signatures are unique patterns that are used to identify specific types of malware. Heuristics analyze code to look for suspicious behavior that may be indicative of malware.
When choosing an antivirus program, look for one that offers real-time protection, automatic updates, and a variety of other features. Some antivirus programs also include firewall protection, which can help to block malicious traffic.
3. Be cautious about email attachments
One of the most common ways to spread malware is via email attachments. If you receive an email with an attachment from someone you don’t know, or that seems suspicious, don’t open it. If you must open the attachment, scan it with your antivirus program first.
Also, be cautious about email attachments from people you do know. If the attachment looks suspicious, or you’re not expecting it, don’t open it. It’s best to err on the side of caution and contact the person to verify that they actually sent the email.
4. Be cautious about links in email and on the web
In addition to email attachments, links in email and on the web can also be used to spread malware. If you receive an email with a link from someone you don’t know, or that seems suspicious, don’t click on it. If you must click on the link, hover your mouse over the link to see where it will take you. If the link looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
Also, be cautious about links on websites. If a website looks suspicious, or you’re not sure if it’s legitimate, don’t click on any links.
5. Use strong passwords
Another way to protect your computer from viruses and other malware is to use strong passwords. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or “123456.”
Also, don’t use the same password for all of your accounts. If a hacker obtains your password for one account, they will have access to all of your accounts if you use the same password.
6. Use caution when downloading files
When downloading files from the internet, be cautious about what you download. Only download files from websites that you trust. If you’re not sure if a website is legitimate, do a quick internet search to see if others have had success with the site.
Also, be sure to scan all files that you download with your antivirus program before opening them.
7. Use caution when installing programs
When installing programs, be sure to read all of the prompts carefully. Many programs will try to install additional, unwanted programs along with the program you actually want to install. These additional programs, known as bloatware, can slow down your computer and are often difficult to remove.
If possible, select the “custom install” option when installing programs. This will give you the opportunity to deselect any unwanted programs that the installer tries to install.
8. Avoid using pirated software
Pirated, or illegal, software is often laden with viruses and other malware. If you use pirated software, you’re putting your computer at risk of infection.
In addition, pirated software is often not as good as the legitimate version. It may be missing features, or have errors and bugs. It’s better to pay for quality software than to use pirated software and risk infecting your computer.
9. Don’t click on ads
Ads are another common way to spread malware. Many ads are designed to look like legitimate website links or download buttons. If you click on one of these ads, you may be taken to a malicious website or asked to download a file that contains malware.
To protect yourself, don’t click on ads. If you use a web browser that has an ad blocker, such as AdBlock or uBlock Origin, you can block most ads.
10. Use caution when using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also a breeding ground for malware. When using public Wi-Fi, be sure to connect only to networks that you trust. Avoid connecting to networks that are unsecured or that you don’t know anything about.
If you must use public Wi-Fi, avoid doing anything sensitive, such as online banking or shopping. And be sure to use a VPN, or virtual private network, to encrypt your traffic and protect your data.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your computer from viruses and other malware.
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