What is a Virus
is an unwanted Program or application
Make copies of itself
Payloads
Carry out a particular action
AnnoyingDestructive
How infection occurs
Infected floppies and CD's
Email and Internet
Launch file and the virus code runs
Copy itself and Make changes
Infected removable flash device
Trojan Horses
Seemingly legitimate programme
With hidden function (harmful)
May be a programme that causes a virus infection
Backdoor Trojans allow other users to take control of a PC across the Internet
Worms
Similar to viruses
Make copies of themselves
Use email to spread
Spread throughout networks
Kakworm, Sircam, Badtrans
Effects of Viruses
- Display messages, Pranks
- Deny access to files
- Data theft (email information)
- Corrupt Data (change spreadsheets), Delete data
- Disable hardware (Chernobyl)
Virus Risks
Internet: downloaded programs or documents
Programs, Email with attachments
Documents and Spreadsheets
Floppy disks and CDs
Preventing viruses
Make users aware of the risks
Install anti-virus software and Update software regularly
Keep backups of all data
Use of Anti virus Software
Detects viruses
Prevent access to infected files
Eliminate infection
Scanners (must be updated)
On demand
On access stay active on machine
Heuristics (uses general rules to detect viruses)
FamousViruses
Love Bug
Email: I love you: kindly check attached love letter coming from me
Worm that sends itself to others in your address book
Steals information and overwrites files
Recent Viruses in Education
Kakworm: Includes itself in all outgoing emails
Magistr (sends files) deletes windows files
Sircam (hi I need your advice) Cant open programs
Badtrans Single click needed
Side effects of viruses
Prevent computers from working
Cost money to sort out, Time consuming
Confidentiality at risk, Damage credibility
Put people off using PCs
Switch to Macs?
Email and viruses
Spread very quickly
Read an email (Kakworm): Hidden script changes system settings
Sends viruses to other users by email, Mellissa first 50 in address book
Attachments: document or spreadsheet when launched infect computer
Some ways of stopping Email Viruses
Save attachments and scan before opening
Use anti-virus software
Send word attachments as .rtf (no macros)
Send spreadsheets as .csv (no macros)
Insist above are sent to you in rtf and csv format
Delete suspicious emails
More Virus Protection
Update anti virus software
Change boot up settings
Create rescue disks for your PC when it is virus free
PCs usually boot up from floppy disk by default
Write protect floppies before giving to other users
Set up a sheep dip for floppies
What to do if you get a virus
Use anti virus software to remove virus
Don't rush or panic
Use rescue disks
Inform other users
Have a usb Security scan
What are the Antivirus software options
Purchase one of the well known brands such as Norton AV McAfee, AVG, .....
Download from the web
Update regularly, this is usually done from the web
Free Antivirus software is available from the web
List of some Computer Virus Abraxas
Acid
Acme
B Ugly
B3 B-52
BA101
BA101
Back Time
Bacros
Bad Boy
Bad Brains
Bad Command
Bad Guy
Beast
BeBe
Beeper
Beer
Benoit
Real PvP Flava
Berlin
Best Wishes
Beta Beva-32
there are so much more
for more list, Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_viruses
