Author: pro

This article will explain computer viruses, how they spread, their effects on your computer, and how to protect yourself.

If your computer has been acting strangely, becoming slower, or you notice that files have been deleted without your knowledge, it may be a result of a computer virus causing havoc on your computer.

What Is A Computer Virus?

A computer virus is software that clinches itself onto legitimate applications and software on a computer or device to enable it to reproduce and spread itself on the computer.

Programmers make viruses just like real legitimate applications created by programmers. 

They are mostly deployed by their creators to cause damage to computers or to take control of it.

The name ‘virus’ was derived as a result of the way through which it infects its targets.

A computer virus has a code snippet that allows it to insert itself into other applications and software.

When you run the application that has the virus snippet, it executes the code snippet and installs the virus on the new computer.

A virus is a type of malware, with the other type being the Trojan, which looks harmless until it starts executing.

Worms can spread and reproduce themselves very fast and independently without using any application as a transfer mode.

Viruses, however, need to infect applications and programs before they can do their work. 

The First Virus Created

The first-ever virus created in history was the Elk Cloner, created by a 15-year-old boy in 1982.

What Viruses Do

Once the infected file or application gets onto the computer, the virus code immediately loads itself into the computer’s CPU before any legitimate files or applications can load themselves.

The virus then begins to infect other applications on the computer. It inserts its virus code in almost every place it can.

A resident virus typically does this, while a non-resident virus can infect files and programs even if they are not operating.

Boot sector viruses use a technique whereby they insert their code into the boot system of the computer.

This step causes the viruses to execute even before the operating system has been loaded.

When the execution of the virus has been done, it then starts to execute its payload on the computer.

Some of the things the virus will do depend on what it was built to do. These include scanning your computer for confidential information like your banking information, stealing your passwords, and turning your computer into an assault.

Viruses can even encrypt your computer data and hold it hostage, demanding payment in the form of Bitcoin before your data would be released back to you.

What Are The Most Common Viruses On Computers?

Web Scripting Virus

These are the types of viruses that overite code on a website and then place links inside, installing malicious software on your device. After that, the attacker can then do whatever he wants.

Browser Hijacker

As the name suggests, this virus makes settings on your browser, and anytime you try to visit any website, it then redirects you to other malicious websites.

Resident Virus

The virus first stores itself on your computer from there. It then obstructs the operating system and targets your computer files.

Polymorphic Virus

This virus is considered to be one of the most dangerous viruses because when it gets to your computer, the anti-virus can’t even notice it since it continuously changes its codes.

Macro Virus

These are the types of viruses that are hidden inside Microsoft Excel or Word. The virus stored as a document can spread itself from the document when it gets on your computer.

How They Spread

Viruses used to spread from computer to computer through mediums like floppy disks. Today, however, instead of applying to their host through the internet itself.

They still spread through data-sharing mediums such as pen drives and CDs. Some ‘gangsta’ viruses can hijack an email account and then mail out copies of its code.

They can also be accidentally downloaded (unaware by the user) from an infected app store or repository.

However, in an email, you can only get the virus if you open and download the virus’s attachment.

Effects Of Computer Virus

• Data Loss and Corruption: One of the most common and damaging effects of computer viruses is the loss or corruption of data. Viruses can infect files, documents, and even the entire operating system, leading to the loss of critical information.
• System Instability: Computer viruses can disrupt the normal functioning of an operating system. This can result in frequent crashes, freezes, and overall instability, making it challenging for users to perform tasks effectively.
• Performance Degradation: Viruses often consume system resources, such as memory and processing power, causing a significant slowdown in overall computer performance. Applications may take longer to load, and the system may become sluggish.
• Unauthorized access and control represent serious threats posed by certain viruses. These malicious programs are crafted to establish backdoors within the infected system, paving the way for unauthorized entry. Consequently, this can result in security breaches, enabling external entities to access data without permission. In more severe cases, these viruses may grant control of the compromised computer to external entities, jeopardizing the user’s privacy and the integrity of the system. Vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures are essential to mitigate the risks associated with such unauthorized access and control.
• Identity Theft: Certain types of viruses, such as keyloggers and spyware, are specifically crafted to capture sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and personal details. This information can be used for identity theft or other malicious activities.
• Network Disruption: Viruses can spread rapidly over networks, infecting multiple computers connected to the same network. This not only affects individual machines but can also lead to network disruptions, affecting the entire organization or community.
• Financial Loss: The impact of computer viruses can extend to financial losses for individuals and businesses. The cost of repairing infected systems, recovering lost data, and implementing security measures can be substantial.
• Compromised Security: Viruses often exploit vulnerabilities in the system’s security, compromising the overall safety of the computer. This can result in further malware infections, making it challenging to maintain a secure computing environment.
• Disruption of Productivity: Infected computers can disrupt normal workflows and productivity. Users may experience downtime while dealing with virus-related issues, and IT departments may need to allocate significant resources to address and mitigate the effects.
• Loss of Confidential Information: Beyond financial data, viruses can lead to the loss of sensitive and confidential information. This may include intellectual property, trade secrets, or proprietary business information, jeopardizing the affected entity’s competitive edge.
• Damage to Reputation: Individuals and businesses affected by computer viruses may experience damage to their reputations. If confidential information or customer data is compromised, trust in the organization’s ability to secure information may be eroded.
• Difficulty in Removal: Some viruses are designed to resist traditional removal methods. This persistence can make it challenging for users to eradicate the virus, leading to prolonged exposure to its detrimental effects.

Signs To Know Your Computer Might Be Infected With Virus

• The computer becomes slow.
• It crashes frequently
• When turned on, some programs you do not know start running.
• Emails are being sent without your permission.
• Making changes to things on your computer
• Files disappearing
• Virus removal

Once you notice a virus on your computer, the next thing to do automatically will be to remove the virus.

There are several ways through which you can remove the virus from your computer. Some viruses are more stubborn than others.

How To Remove A Virus From Your Computer

One of the most common ways to remove viruses from your computer is to install antivirus software on it.

The ironic and funny thing here is that. Some viruses are created by their owners just so their creators can sell you antivirus software to make money.

But it seems we don’t have much choice regarding that.

After downloading the antivirus software and installing it on the computer, you then run a scan with the software.

It will detect the virus on the computer and then clean it. However, some viruses are powerful because they can hide from the antivirus or even prevent the antivirus from working altogether.

In this case, you would need antivirus software that is up to date to clean the virus. This move is one reason why it is advisable to update your antivirus whenever it prompts you to do so.

If the antivirus does not do a proper clean-up in a given time, then you would have no option but to perform a total clean of your hard drive.

When this happens, it would mean that the virus has spread itself over almost every part of the computer, thereby bringing down the computer’s defenses. Performing total clean is the only way it would be taken off the computer.

Here is all you need to know about computer virus, their effects, how they spread, and how to fight them, you can also check out bank trojan.

You may have heard about computer viruses, but did you know there’s a whole world of digital troublemakers beyond just viruses? Buckle up for a crash course on computer malware and its mysterious ways.

Now, not every digital hiccup you hear about is a virus, even though people often use the term. It’s like calling every superhero “Batman” just because he’s the most famous one.

A computer virus is a specific type of malware, and there’s a whole family of these digital mischief-makers.

Computer malware has been around since the early days of computers, tracing its roots back to 1949.

It’s like the OG (Original Gangster) of digital trouble! Imagine security agencies as the guardians of the digital realm, and they recorded the first known malware sighting in the ’70s. That’s like discovering the first supervillain in the world of computers.

So, what exactly is a virus in the digital world? Think of it as a tiny program that can infect other programs, like a superhero turning villains into sidekicks.

It modifies them to include a sneaky evolved version of itself. It’s like a digital shape-shifter, spreading its influence wherever it goes.

But wait, there’s more to the story! There are different types of computer malware, each with its unique powers.

Some disguise themselves as friendly programs, while others sneak in through deceptive emails or websites. It’s like a game of hide and seek in the digital universe.

What’s The Difference Between Virus And Malware?

Viruses

A computer virus is a type of computer malware that can modify its host in a way that allows it to execute itself as soon as the host file is executed.

Today, it is not easy to find pure computer viruses anymore. Pure computer viruses today make up less than 10% of all computer malware.

However, they are the only type of computer malware that infects other files.

This also makes computer viruses one of the hardest to remove because they execute themselves from a legitimate file or program.

Even the best antivirus software out there sometimes has a hard time dealing with viruses.

Due to how hard they are to remove, most antiviruses will quarantine the affected file or delete the whole thing, which means that you will have to install the deleted program again.

Malware

Computer malware existed way before computer viruses were created.

Their existence can be traced back to the days of giant mainframe computers.

They were brought to the notice of people by emails in the 1990s and gave computer security workers a hard as they were fashioned message attachments.

Once a person opens a file containing a worm, the entire computer will get infected quickly.

One trait of a computer is its ability to self-replicate.

One of the well-known worms was the famously notorious ‘iloveyou’ worm that infected almost every email account worldwide and overloaded telephones with text messages.

It was even able to bring TV stations. Worms can spread without the computer having a hand in it, unlike computer viruses.

The SQL Slammer worm used a vulnerability in Microsoft SQL to cause buffer overflows on almost all unpatched SQ: servers connected to the internet.

It did in a record time below 10 minutes, and that record has still not been broken any other worm.

Types Of Computer Malware

Trojan

Computer hackers do not use worms anymore. Their choice of attack is now the Trojan that can parade as an actual computer program while having dangerous codes.

Trojans have existed even much longer than computer viruses. They are, however, much more malicious on current-generation computers than old ones.

For a computer Trojan to work, it has to be executed by the computer user before it can carry out its work or payload, as it is the term in computer-savvy circles.

They usually come onto a computer through emails after the user visits infected websites.

One of the most prevalent Trojans is the type that disguises itself as antivirus software.

This will then pop up on your screen while surfing online and claim that your computer has been infected by viruses that need to be cleaned as soon as possible.

Once the user falls for the trick and clicks on it, the Trojan then executes and takes over the computer. RAT (Remote Access Trojans) are a common type of Trojans that are widely used by cybercriminals.

This type of Trojan allows the creator to control your computer once it has been executed on the computer.

They are designed in such a way that it is difficult to detect them on your computer.

People who usually use these do not even program them themselves, as hundreds of these are sold on the black market. Trojans are also one of the hardest to fight.

Firewalls are sometimes not able to stop them, just like other normal computer defenses.

It is highly recommended that you never try to open any file that pops up to warn you of viruses while surfing the internet.

Hybrids And Exotic

Today, most of the computer malware around is a mixture of Trojans and Worms and sometimes with a virus thrown in the mix.

This malware will typically appear to the computer as a Trojan in disguise.

However, once the computer user executes it, it attacks the system with the other malware’s combination.

The majority of this malware is considered stealth programs. They usually try to temper with the computer’s operating system to enable them to take total control of the whole system to hide from antivirus software that tries to fish them out.

The way to remove This type of malware is to remove the control component.

There are also Bots, which are essentially a Trojan and Worms combined to attempt to add their victims to a more extensive malicious network.

Fileless

This kind of malware does not have to use files or programs to spread.

They usually spread using the system memory, such as the registry keys, APIs, and scheduled tasks.

They make up over 50% of all malware that exists today.

Fileless malware attacks its victim by taking over an existing program and then launches itself as a sub-process.

They are nearly impossible to detect, and even if you notice them, they are harder to stop.

Having good knowledge about Fileless malware is very important for almost everyone, especially if you are thinking of pursuing a career in the computing industry.

Adware

Adware is normally made to expose the computer user to malicious advertising.

It may redirect your browser’s search to different web pages that may look like you are searching for.

The web pages may contain things that are different from what you are searching for as well.

Malvertising

In this case, legitimate ads or their networks are used to deliver malware to unsuspecting people.

A cybercriminal will pay for space on a legitimate website to place an advertisement. When a user clicks the ad placed by the cybercriminal, the ad will take them to a malicious site or download and install malware onto the person’s computer.

This malware can sometimes even executive itself without the user doing anything to trigger it.

Spyware

This is mostly used by people who may want to spy on your computer. You can use it to copy the password of victims’ computers to enable them to access it to take confidential material from the computer.

However, spyware usually is easier to remove from your computer, together with adware. They are not as dangerous as the other types of malware mentioned in this article.

How To Remove Malware From Your Computer

Detecting and removing malware from a computer can be a tricky thing to do.

You will not tell if the malware has tempered with the computer system in a way that makes it impossible to know if you have detected the malware.

It takes someone who is very well trained in malware removal, and the general computer work to be able to take care of such a task.

When fighting malware, you may have to back up your data and clean your hard drive before reinstalling the programs again.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve uncovered the secrets of different kinds of malware and how they sneak into our digital playground, let’s talk about the superhero moves you can make to stay safe.

Imagine the internet as a vast ocean of information and entertainment, but lurking in the depths are sneaky creatures called malware. To keep your digital ship sailing smoothly, it’s crucial to be a cautious sailor when surfing the net.

Picture yourself as the captain of your digital vessel, steering through the vast online seas. Here are some superhero tips to keep those malicious malware sea monsters at bay:

1. Stay Alert: Keep your digital radar on high alert. Be cautious of suspicious emails, links, or websites. If something seems fishy, it probably is!
2. Powerful Shields: Equip your computer with powerful shields known as antivirus software. These digital superheroes can detect and neutralize malware threats, just like a force field protecting your castle.
3. Smart Surfing: Navigate the digital waves wisely. Avoid clicking on random links or downloading unknown software. It’s like choosing safe paths in a virtual treasure hunt.
4. Regular Check-ups: Just like superheroes visit their headquarters for check-ups, run regular scans on your computer. This ensures that any lurking malware is discovered and defeated before it can cause mischief.
5. Backup Plan: Imagine creating a duplicate of your favorite superhero gadgets. Similarly, regularly back up your important files. In case a malware monster tries to snatch them away, you’ll have a backup to save the day.

So, fellow digital adventurers, as you embark on your online quests, remember these tips to navigate the vast internet ocean safely.

Be a vigilant explorer, use your digital shields, and keep those malware monsters at bay. May your online adventures be thrilling and secure.

Talking about computers, you can also check out our article on the types of computer printers.

You are walking along the pavement with your Android smartphone in your hand, surfing the internet.

Or you were chatting with some of your friends on social media, and suddenly, someone bumped into you violently, and your smartphone smashed onto the water or on the hard pavement.

The person hurriedly apologizes and continues running on, but the damage has already happened.

You pick up the smartphone and realize that the screen has smashed beyond usability.

And you know that the repair bill sure goes through the roof (I know you are thinking about Samsung phones here).

And although the phone is still on, you cannot use it since the screen is cracked.

Or your smartphone has developed a fault and does not respond anymore and does not switch on. Or either got attacked by a mobile virus and has gone dead.

You then remember that you have some important files on it which had not been backed up yet.

How do you retrieve those files from the phone now?
Well, that is what this article is all about.

We will be showing you some ways to retrieve your files from a damaged Android smartphone.

So Here Are Ways To Retrieve Data From A Damaged Android Smartphone.

Third-Party Software

The good news is that there is third-party software out there that you can use to retrieve the data from the Android smartphone.

You will have to find another smartphone to download the software and then install it on a computer.

You can use a broken Android data recovery software for this. After installing the software on your computer, do the following;
Open the recovery software and connect your damaged smartphone via USB to the computer.

Choose the appropriate mood which would be used for the recovery.

This step can be done by reading the instructions that the software shows you to choose a recovery mood that fits the problem you have encountered with your smartphone.

Choose the exact info of your device on the interface that appears to make your device match with the software since the software may not be usable with some Android devices.

Now follow the prompts on the screen as the software downloads a repair package which will then be used to fix your smartphone so that the data on it can be scanned and recovered.

You will then need to switch your smartphone off. You then press and hold the volume down button together with the home button and power button.

Then press and hold the work-up button to go into the download mood.

After everything is done, the software will now conduct the scanning on your smartphone.

You will then see an interface where you will choose the files you want to recover from the smartphone and click on the ‘recover’ button to recover them.

USB OTG For Recovery

If, for some reason, you are not able to use the third-party software method, as shown above, there is another way through which you can still retrieve your data from your Android smartphone device.

You can do this by using a USB OTG, which means USB on the go.

This step allows you to use a computer mouse to navigate your damaged smartphone and retrieve the files you need from it.

However, for this to work, your Android smartphone must have the OTG feature equipped on it before you can go ahead.

Here Is How To Use The OTG Method To Extract Your Files From Your Damaged Android Smartphone.

• You will need to connect an OTG adapter to your smartphone.
• You then have to link a computer mouse to the OTG adapter.
• Now turn on the smartphone.
• You can then use the connected mouse to unlock your smartphone.
• Now connect the smartphone to a WiFi network, or you can put on the Bluetooth connection.
• You can now transfer the data files that you want from the smartphone to the computer or your cloud storage to get them later.

Conclusion

Accidents do happen, and one of them is mistakenly damaging your phone. When you find yourself in this situation, you suddenly find it difficult even to think straight.

If you have been in this situation you will want to retrieve the files.
This article took us through the steps of retrieving data from damaged Android phones.

And if your phone has been slowing down nowadays, then you might want to check our article covering how to block pop-up ads on Android phones.

Users of google chrome may have noticed by now that the web browser can activate dark mode on all web pages. However, enabling dark mode in web pages would mean that the chrome flag has to be enabled.

The developers of the browser seem to be working on a feature that will allow users to set dark themes on a per-site basis. What this means is that you will now be able to activate and deactivate dark mode on websites of your choosing manually. This feature will allow you to do this by yourself for individual websites. 

If you are looking to enable dark mode themes on individual sites on your google chrome web browser, then please keep on reading this article.

I will be showing some easy-to-follow steps that will get you to set the dark mode themes in no time at all on your google chrome browser. 

How To Activate Dark Mode Theme On Your Google Chrome

Before we go ahead, please make sure that the google chrome browser you are using is the google chrome canary build for android mobile devices.

This is because the feature we are talking about in this article can only be activated in the google chrome canary build version for android devices.

We cannot also guarantee that the feature will work every time you activated it. This is because the feature is still under development by the google chrome developers as I stated at the beginning of this article. Now, let us look at the following steps below.

1. Install google chrome canary browser on your android smartphone or device. You can get it on the google play store
2. Type ‘chrome://flags’ in the URL bar and press on entering
3. Go to the ‘chrome experiments’ page and look for darken websites checkbox. This can be located in the settings of the theme 
4. Click on the drop-down menu that is behind the flag and choose ‘enabled’
5. After you are done, tap on ‘relaunch’ so that the web browser can restart   
6. With the restart done, tap on the three dots and choose ‘settings’
7. Open the theme and choose option check the ‘darken website’ checkbox as well
8. Now, go to the website you wish to implement the dark mode theme in and click on the three dots. Choose the option ‘enable auto dark for site’. The dark theme mode will then be activated
9. Now, if you want to disable the dark theme mode, just click on the three dots again and choose ‘disable auto dark for site’

And that is all. Through this process above, you can now activate the dark mode theme for a website that you want.

Remember that this feature only works on the google chrome canary build version. So if you do not have that, then you will need to download that before you can go ahead with this method.

And also keep in mind that this method is a 100% guarantee because the feature is still under development.

Conclusion

So this article was about how you can activate the dark mode theme for websites on your google chrome canary build version on your android device.

I hope this article was helpful. Please make sure to visit this site more often for more tech enlightenment. You can also read our guide on how to follow websites on google chrome.