by: Joel Walsh
Summary: Could the mass media hype about computer viruses actually make the problem worse?
If you believe what you hear in the media, there are an awful lot of viruses going around. No, I'm not talking about the make-you-sick kind of virus, though they get plenty of airtime, too. I'm talking about the kind of virus that enters via your internet connection rather than your nasal passages.
What the mainstream media often don't tell you--at least, in most radio and television newscasts and in the crucial headlines and opening paragraphs of newspaper articles-- is that many of these "viruses" are not viruses at all.
What Computer Viruses Really Are
The main reason the mainstream media always are in alarm over viruses is that they tend to call any malicious computer program a virus. In reality, there are at least eleven distinct types of malicious software, or malware, commonly affecting computers today. The most common of these are worms, Trojans, and spyware.
So, what's the difference between computer viruses and the other types of malware? The difference is that computer viruses are just about the only ones that regularly shut down computers and cause other obvious damage. The most common of the other kinds of malware--worms, Trojans, and spyware--are usually only detectable with a special scan.
The Real Danger of Computer Viruses
If the other types of malware are so unobtrusive that they can only be detected with a special scan, then what's to worry about? For starters, these programs are called malicious for a reason: they are designed to cause some kind of damage, if not to your computer, then to someone else's.
Worms are most famously used to damage, destroy, or disrupt other computer networks than the one on which the host computer is located. For instance, worms have been used by website owners to shut down rival websites by sending overwhelming numbers of requests to the computer that hosts that website. Worms have also been used to send out viruses to other computers, often without infecting the host machine--after all, what would it benefit the worm to shut down its host computer?
Trojans, in turn, are often used to insert worms and other malware on your computer, even if the Trojan itself does no damage.
But even if you don't care what happens to anyone else, you should still be concerned about one kind of malware: spyware, a kind of malware that, true to its name, collects data from your computer and sends it back to a remote host.
Most spyware is only interested in monitoring your internet usage so it can tell other programs, called adware, what advertising to popup on your computer. However, there are criminal spyware programs that steal financial data, or perform a thorough identity theft. Don't think you have personal or financial data on your computer? Some spyware programs contain a keylogger, which is a program that copies whatever you type, usually in order to snatch passwords. Even if you keep no financial information on your computer, if you ever buy anything over the web, the keylogger would allow its owner to buy stuff using the same information you typed in to buy stuff yourself.
Why Blame the Media?
Given the danger of all these different types of malware, isn't it a good thing that the mass media are becoming hysterical about it? And can't they be forgiven the sloppy reporting of calling Trojans, worms, spyware, and other malware "viruses"?
No, no, no.
This is a classic case of bad reporting doing more damage than no reporting at all. In this case, the damage bad reporting has done is to promote a common myth that goes something like this: "The only malicious software is a virus. Viruses damage your computer. Therefore, if my computer is working OK, my computer has no malicious software. I only need to scan my computer for problems when there is a sign of problems."
Thanks to this myth, many people complacently let their antivirus software go months out of date, not wanting to be bothered with scheduling an automatic update. Just as bad, many people don't have any extra software to combat the other types of malware that may not be covered by antivirus software.
In fact, it's not uncommon for people who have found malware on their computers after a scan to say, "but I never had malware on my computer before!" But how would they have known if they had never scanned!
Until the biggest mainstream media--and especially television--start educating the public about the need to have their computers automatically scanned at least daily, the world will continue to have major, drawn-out problems with malware that could have been wiped out as soon as soon as the anti-malware software makers discovered it.
And until that day, the mainstream media will have many more opportunities to run hysterical stories about "viruses," thereby forcing them to sell more newspapers and broadcast to even larger audiences of people who suck at the information trough yet somehow never become full.
About The Author
Joel Walsh writes on all types of malware for spyware-refuge.com: http://www.spyware-refuge.com? adware spyware program [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: "adware spyware program" OR leave this bracketed message intact.]
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Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
by: Eugen Lisov
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe that you would like to know the answer to the following question:
Why do children need computers?
The easiest answer for this one is: ?A child needs a computer so that he can play computer games?. Everybody agrees. Nevertheless, let?s not just limit on the short term use of the computer? Let?s analyze a little the world we live in and see what can acomputer do for children.
Computers are starting to have more and more importance in our daily life. Almost everywhere you go, you find computers. At office or at home, a computer is almost indispensable.
Not knowing to use a computer, you find many difficulties. Moreover, things will not get easier in the future, because the world is getting more and more computerized. That is why your child should get accustomed and work with computers from an...
Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Computer printers > Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
by: Scott Dary
To clean your mouse ? The trackball can pick up dirt and dust from your desk and mouse pad. Also, the wheels that the trackball come in contact with get dirty and need to be cleaned. If you notice your mouse "doesn't work right", it may be time to clean it. First, turn your PC off. Turn your mouse over and you will see the ball sticking out of a cover. Look at the arrows on the cover and turn it in the indicated direction to open it up. Don?t worry about anything falling out. The only thing that comes out is the ball, and maybe a little dust, and you want to take that out anyway.
You can clean the ball with alcohol if it needs it, but usually just wiping it off will work. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol works well for cleaning the wheels. When you?re done, drop the ball back in and put the cover back on. If cleaning it doesn?t help, it may be time to replace...
Computer printers > Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
Clean Up Your Computer Now
Clean Up Your Computer Now
by: George Williams
How do you think your computer will run if you don?t perform regular maintenance on it? If your computer is running sluggish, if it periodically needs to be rebooted or doesn?t boot up as quickly as it used to, it sounds like it?s time for a Clean Up. The following instructions below will give you step by step instructions on how to ensure your PC continues to operate at its fullest potential. These instructions are relevant for machines running Windows XP and using Internet Explorer.
Here are the steps:
1. Open up Internet Explorer
2. Next click on the word Tools up at the top of your screen.
3. Click Internet Options.
4. In the middle of that box you?ll see a section called Temporary Internet Files. Click the Delete Files button.
5. Click the box Delete offline content too, then OK.
6. Once that is done, click the Delete Cookies button within the Temporary...
Clean Up Your Computer Now
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Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
Making the decision to attend a computer tech school can be one of the best decisions of your life. Another great decision is to tap a hidden wealth of knowledge that is right before every student at schools such as ECPI and ITT, but very few students take advantage of it.
When you're attending a computer training school, you must avoid the mentality that some other students will have - "I gotta go to school, I gotta be here, I can't wait to leave and go home". When you're preparing for a career working with computers, you've got to take advantage of every learning experience you can get, and that includes getting to know the most valuable resource at your school - your teachers!
Your teachers have busy schedules, but it was my experience that every single time I asked for help or had questions outside of class, my teachers went the extra mile to help...
Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
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So You're Buying A New Printer !
So You're Buying A New Printer !
by: David Atkins
Ok, so you have decided to buy a new printer ! The old printer is getting "cranky" the print quality is down, and it is slow ! Here is what I would suggest that you do.
Sit down at the kitchen table or wherever with pen and paper or at the computer with notepad or a word processor.
Determine how many pages a day you will be printing.
If the number is over 8 pages a day and we are talking everyday toss all printers priced below $100.00 , these are "home class" printers and they will wear out quickly.
The inkjet printer market , because of the volume that is bought is one of the most "price-driven" markets in the computer industry.
There are many gimmicks used to lower the price of an inkjet printer, the two most prevalent
is durability and ink costs. The
ink costs means you toss all
HP and Lexmark printers.
HP and Lexmark both incorporate...
So You're Buying A New Printer !
Computer printers > So You're Buying A New Printer !
Create a Great Computer Work Station in a Small Space
Create a Great Computer Work Station in a Small Space
by: Aldene Fredenburg
Don't have a separate room you can designate as a home office? You can create a comfortable and functional computer work station in remarkably little space. A corner of your living room or bedroom, even a spare closet, can provide plenty of room.
First measure out the amount of space you can allocate for your work station. Then, start to plan. You need a surface for your computer monitor or laptop, and room underneath for your hard drive. If you have a printer and/or a scanner, this also needs a work surface, ideally with storage space underneath for printer paper and other supplies. You may also want space for an additional external backup hard drive. Measure all your equipment and furnishings and play with a floor plan.
If you can find a ready-made work station that fits into your space, great. If not, make one. A 24- to 30-inch core door thrown over a couple...
Create a Great Computer Work Station in a Small Space
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The Right Amount Of Computer Time
The Right Amount Of Computer Time
by: Steve Hall
In a country that settles each night in front of the television, it just seems strange that more and more people are finding the allure of the computer screen sometimes more important. There is no doubt that children do as their parents do. They enjoy exploring the vast world of the Internet. They are excited to get that new computer game. But, how much time in front of the computer screen is the right amount of time?
There is no doubt going to be a number of people that come out and say that children are spending far too much time in front of the computer. They may end up telling us that their eyes will go back or something. Regardless of what they will say, we know now that it is important to limit the amount of time children use the computer. We know this because we know that it just makes sense that children who play on the computer too much loose the physical aspects of life along with the...
The Right Amount Of Computer Time
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Inkjet Printers Getting in Demand
Inkjet Printers Getting in Demand
by: Karen Nodalo
Inkjet has grown widely and it is commonly used by most of the printing companies.
For all we know, inkjet ink is a complex formulation that formulates on any porous surface and enables us to print different kinds of printing. Even homeowners have printers at home. it can either be an inkjet or a bubble jet printer that perfectly meets the standards of good printing.
There are two types of inks, which is the water-based, and the solvent-based inks. In addition, there are user-friendly print delivery systems. A lot of ink manufacturers have spent a great time and money to research the development of the inks in order to produce characters with the crisp. These new-age printers have a quicker drying time and they stay permanent on porous surfaces.
Inkjet has a lot of advantages if you are on the business. Although it is quite expensive, it can give you prints that are long lasting...
Inkjet Printers Getting in Demand
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Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses? hearing aid
Learn Poker
Learn Poker
by: Dylan Jones
Winning at poker isn?t about winning the most pots, its about winning the most money. You can do this by winning more and bigger pots and by losing less money. Here are a few tips on how to do both:
Don?t call with any old cards!
Some people will call with anything, with the belief that any two cards have the same chance of winning. This is essentially true, but some are much more likely to get you the pot than others ...
Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
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Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
Five Ways To De-Stress The Stay-At-Home-Mom!
Five Ways To De-Stress The Stay-At-Home-Mom!
by: Jennifer Tarzian
As a stay-at-home mom, I often wonder why I get so stressed out. Before having children, I worked full-time and managed to be involved in multiple extra-curricular activities ? none of which seemed to put me over the top. So why does being a mother and homemaker frazzle my nerves so much?
I think I may finally have the answer to this question. I?ve come to realize, for myself at least, that...
Five Ways To De-Stress The Stay-At-Home-Mom! Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
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