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It’s recommended that you install anti-malware software on all of your devices – including PCs, laptops, Macs and smartphones – and that your anti-malware solution receives regular updates, in order to protect against the latest threats. How to protect yourself against Computer Viruses and Worms Viruses can be divided according to the method that they use to infect a computer:Īny program within this subclass of malware can also have additional Trojan functions.
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Many worms will use more than one method in order to spread copies via networks. These directly penetrate the computer memory, and the worm code is then activated.Ĭomputer worms can exploit network configuration errors (for example, to copy themselves onto a fully accessible disk) or exploit loopholes in operating system and application security.
Most known computer worms are spread in one of the following ways: The Viruses and Worms subclass of malicious software programs includes the following: Because each subsequent copy of a network worm can also self-replicate, infections can spread very rapidly via the internet and computer networks. Once a worm has made its way onto your system, usually via a network connection or as a downloaded file, it can then make multiple copies of itself and spread via the network or internet connection infecting any inadequately-protected computers and servers on the network. Worms, on the other hand, don't need a host program in order for them to run, self-replicate and propagate. Once a virus finds its way onto your system, it will remain dormant until the infected host file or program is activated, which in turn makes the virus active enabling it to run and replicate on your system.
They often spread via P2P file sharing, infected websites, and email attachment downloads. Viruses are typically attached to an executable file or a word document. An important distinction between computer viruses and worms is that viruses require an active host program or an already-infected and active operating system in order for viruses to run, cause damage and infect other executable files or documents, while worms are stand-alone malicious programs that can self-replicate and propagate via computer networks, without human help.
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