10Jan Computer Viruses Types and How to Remove Them
Amol Vyavhare asked:
Before knowing how computer viruses can be removed, let us look at how they can be classified:
Memory-Resident Viruses
Memory resident viruses are those viruses which stay in the primary computer memory (RAM). Since these type of viruses are constantly running as a process in the memory, they can have the most control of your computer. First, these viruses are not visible to the user. They run hidden and can send emails without you knowing, execute different applications, download or upload data, etc.
Multipartite Viruses
These types of viruses have the capability to self-replicate themselves. It means they can duplicate themselves. They achieve this by hijacking other executables on your system and embedding their code (application logic) inside other applications. These viruses can be most dangerous because even if you remove them from some files, you never would be 100% sure that they exist in some other applications.
Boot Sector Viruses
Boot sector viruses are not seen that much today with the advent of superior operating systems. But if you are using some of the older version operating systems, then you would sure find it tough to handle them. Boot sector viruses have the capability to load during system boot up. This means they not only have control over your applications but also your entire operating system. Typically, they load as a system driver while system boot-up.
Then there are few more types such as logic bombs, network viruses, trojans, etc. Their core working logic remains the same as the types I have described above. Let us quickly see how can we remove viruses from our systems:
Your options:
1. Formatting your PC
2. Removing viruses while system boot-up
3. Removing viruses through anti-virus programs (externally)
The first option is quite obvious. Let us look at the second. By removing viruses, before your operating system starts up you have a much better chance of eradicating them from their roots. To achieve this, simply boot your system with an emergency boot disk or by pressing f8 key (while booting) and entering safe mode. Now, when in safe mode or emergency boot up mode, do the following:
1. Click start menu then run type msconfig and hit enter
2. Goto the startup tab and uncheck all the items (you can keep your antivirus app checked there, but what if it is infected as well?)
3. Reboot your pc
If you are lucky, this approach will remove viruses from loading into the system. Next, without executing any applications, simply scan your whole system with a good antivirus software. If this does not work, connect your hard disk to a different computer in slave mode and scan this hard disk of yours with a software installed on that external computer. After the scan you can connect your hard disk back to your computer and use it normally.
When you are assured that your computer is safe and does not contain any viruses, you can take some of this protective measures so you are not troubled by viruses again:
1. Install a good quality antivirus software (Recommended: ZoneAlarm)
2. Install a monitor software such as WinPatrol
3. Ensure that your operating system and antivirus softwares are frequently updated (may be once in a week would suffice)
Blogging is Hard, Please Buy Me a Cup Of Coffee! :)Before knowing how computer viruses can be removed, let us look at how they can be classified:
Memory-Resident Viruses
Memory resident viruses are those viruses which stay in the primary computer memory (RAM). Since these type of viruses are constantly running as a process in the memory, they can have the most control of your computer. First, these viruses are not visible to the user. They run hidden and can send emails without you knowing, execute different applications, download or upload data, etc.
Multipartite Viruses
These types of viruses have the capability to self-replicate themselves. It means they can duplicate themselves. They achieve this by hijacking other executables on your system and embedding their code (application logic) inside other applications. These viruses can be most dangerous because even if you remove them from some files, you never would be 100% sure that they exist in some other applications.
Boot Sector Viruses
Boot sector viruses are not seen that much today with the advent of superior operating systems. But if you are using some of the older version operating systems, then you would sure find it tough to handle them. Boot sector viruses have the capability to load during system boot up. This means they not only have control over your applications but also your entire operating system. Typically, they load as a system driver while system boot-up.
Then there are few more types such as logic bombs, network viruses, trojans, etc. Their core working logic remains the same as the types I have described above. Let us quickly see how can we remove viruses from our systems:
Your options:
1. Formatting your PC
2. Removing viruses while system boot-up
3. Removing viruses through anti-virus programs (externally)
The first option is quite obvious. Let us look at the second. By removing viruses, before your operating system starts up you have a much better chance of eradicating them from their roots. To achieve this, simply boot your system with an emergency boot disk or by pressing f8 key (while booting) and entering safe mode. Now, when in safe mode or emergency boot up mode, do the following:
1. Click start menu then run type msconfig and hit enter
2. Goto the startup tab and uncheck all the items (you can keep your antivirus app checked there, but what if it is infected as well?)
3. Reboot your pc
If you are lucky, this approach will remove viruses from loading into the system. Next, without executing any applications, simply scan your whole system with a good antivirus software. If this does not work, connect your hard disk to a different computer in slave mode and scan this hard disk of yours with a software installed on that external computer. After the scan you can connect your hard disk back to your computer and use it normally.
When you are assured that your computer is safe and does not contain any viruses, you can take some of this protective measures so you are not troubled by viruses again:
1. Install a good quality antivirus software (Recommended: ZoneAlarm)
2. Install a monitor software such as WinPatrol
3. Ensure that your operating system and antivirus softwares are frequently updated (may be once in a week would suffice)
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