General Computing Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Hacker?

Geeks make a distinction between crackers, who break into systems to do damage, and hackers who enjoy taking programs apart just to see how they tick. We'll stick with the more common, though less accurate, term of hacker. (The term 'hacker' originally meant 'someone who makes furniture' with an axe. Crude, but effective - like most computer viruses.)

What Is A Virus?

A virus is usually hidden inside another program such as an installation program delivered via e-mail attachment. When the 'host' program is run, the virus program also runs. Once it's in memory the virus is able to do its dirty work, which usually includes infecting other programs.

What Is A Worm?

Worms are similar to viruses in that they're self-replicating. They reproduce themselves across networks without human assistance, such as e-mail sending. A worm, though, doesn't need another executable program to be distributed.Worms usually affect networks more than individual computers.

What Is A Trojan?

Trojan horses are a common type of malware. A 'trojan' is a program that pretends to do one thing but actually does something different.Unlike viruses or worms, a Trojan doesn't replicate itself.

What Is The Worst Virus?

Of the three most common types of malware (malware is short for malicious software, i.e. designed to harm) - viruses, Trojans and worms - the latter is the most harmful because only worms (this may change) can function without human intervention.

How Does A Worm Virus Spread?

Worms, like viruses, replicate themselves but unlike viruses are completely self-contained. Viruses need a 'host program' to spread, but worms propagate independently.

Are Worm Viruses Common On Pc's?

Though they can be designed to do the same kind of harm (file deletion, program corruption, etc), worms usually affect networks. Networks operate by means of servers and routers. The Internet is just a large set of mutually cooperating public computer networks.

How Does A Worm Virus Work?

Worms often carry 'payloads' - other types of malware such as spyware or backdoor installation programs. Spyware is used to monitor your computer activities and backdoors are hidden access points to your computer which can be exploited by hackers to send spam or steal data from your computer.

What Is A Worm Biggest Threat To A Home User?

For individual computer users, the worm's payload is the biggest threat. Payloads can be designed to work around computer security by turning off antivirus functions or opening up computer ports. Once done, the computer is open to data theft or malicious acts such as deleting files.

What Is An Effective Method To Stop Worm Viruses?

Firewalls are moderately effective in protecting your computer against worms. They can be set up to restrict network traffic and can help to 'cloak' your computer. If your computer can't be 'seen' it can't be infected with worms which spread over networks.Also ensure your anti virus is upto date.

What Do I do If My Computer Is Infected With A Worm Virus?

If you suspect your computer is infected with a worm, scan your system with antivirus software. If it fails to remove the worm, instructions for manual removal can be found on the Internet.

Are Back Ups Important?

For many people, computers have become a daily necessity. We use them for work, for correspondence and for entertainment. Many of the files are important documents and losing them would cost us time and money. Backups are the best way to prevent their permanent loss.

Should I Back Up My Personal Pc?

Backups are a necessity for everyone. Even if your computer has been running reliably for years, it will fail one day - either through virus attack, user error or just age.

On that day, you'll either suffer the grief that comes with losing financial information, passwords, music collections, personal photographs and all the software you've purchased.

How Can I Lose Data On My Pc?

There are, unfortunately, an infinite variety of ways to lose data. Besides hardware failure, computers can be destroyed in fires or floods. Hard drives can be damaged by power surges caused by lightning strikes or data lost by a child randomly hitting the keyboard. Viruses can infect systems and erase hard drives.

What Data Should I Back Up On My Computer?

For the average user, it's usually not necessary to backup every file on the computer, which would require large storage space. But at bare minimum home users should backup personal files and irreplaceable software. Spreadsheets with financial records not easily available from other sources.

What is The Cheapest Way to Back Up My Computer Data?

The easiest way to do backups is to use the backup software that comes with the operating system. Windows has a free, usable backup program while similar ones are available for Mac, Linux and others.

What Is The Best Way To Back Up My Computer Data?

For a modest sum backup software can be purchased that will only backup files changed since a certain date, or since the last backup. Alternatively, new files could be copied daily to a backup folder where they can be backed-up by your backup program.

How Can I Back Up My E-Mail?

Some data, such as e-mails are only slightly more difficult to protect. Some e-mail clients can be configured to keep copies of received and sent e-mails on the e-mail server. When that's not an option, most can export messages to a file, which can then be backed up.

What Media Can I Back Up To?

Backups can be done to any kind of removable media - writeable CD's/DVD's, removable hard drives or even the newer 'keychain' devices that plug into a USB port. Even floppy disks can still be used in many cases but only for small data packets.

How Often Should I Back Up My Data?

Daily backups are one more thing to do in a busy schedule. But the day you lose that file you need and can't restore, you're going to be a whole lot busier.Best advice is to back up your most important documents on a regular basis and do a back up if you have done a lot of work on documents or files - even daily (do you want to do the work again?).

Is E-mail Security Important?

E-mail has become an essential mode of communication in the modern world. Unfortunately, that means it's also one of the most common routes for virus infection and fraud. Protecting yourself from these kinds of threats is necessary for everyone,so yes if not for your own sake but also anyone in your address book.

How Are E-mail Viruses Spread?

Viruses often arrive in the form of e-mail attachments, so exercise care when opening any attachment - even from a known source. Some viruses infiltrate address books and send infected e-mail to everyone listed, so it's possible to receive a virus from a friend or colleague. Ideally, you should communicate beforehand to expect an attachment.

What is The Best Way To Protect Against E-mail Viruses?

The best protection against e-mail viruses is virus protection software that automatically scans each attachment as it arrives at your computer. Every computer connected to the Internet should have antivirus software.

What Is Phishing?

Frauds are a security risk posed by e-mail. One type, called 'phishing', tries to trick the recipient into disclosing personal financial information or passwords. These e-mails use logos of well-known institutions like banks or online retailers and ask you to update your password or financial information.

Are There Any Tips To Avoid Phishing?

A good tip can be gleaned from the subject line or the content. Rather than using your personal name, they may say 'Dear valued customer'. But finding some variant of your name isn't difficult these days. Often it will also be addressed to "undisclosed Recipients" Beware, in any case.

Back Up Your E-mail

Like any other kind of data, e-mail can (and should) be backed up. It's easy to do with most e-mail programs - simply export the messages to a folder, then backup the folder with a backup program onto a removable disk, writeable CD or DVD or other media.

Can Computer Data Back Ups Be Automated?

Backup programs can usually be automated to occur at a convenient time without requiring further intervention. Granted, configuring them is one more thing to do in a busy schedule. But the first time you lose one that's badly needed, you'll be much busier trying to replace it if it wasn't backed up.

What Kind Of Protection Can You Generally Get From  Firewall?

Personal firewalls offer a selection of protection levels depending on whether they're connecting to a private network or the Internet. Computers in a home network, for example, will usually be allowed to share files and access common resources like printers without restriction. In this case, the firewall will allow more access than when connecting to the Internet.

How Do Firewall Work?

Most personal firewalls have two basic components. The first examines data as it arrives at your computer to determine whether it should be allowed through. The second sets up rules ('a policy') for specific applications. This second component may be very lax — it simply allows a particular program to access the Internet.

What Is A Firewall Packet Filter?

A packet filter, analyzes each data packet and either allows it to pass or drops it. Data routed on networks is grouped into chunks called 'packets'. Packets must comply with a set of rules ('the policy') in order to pass, and those that fail to meet the rules may signal an alert or simply be dropped, depending on the firewall settings.

What Is A Firewall Application Filter?

The second component, the application filter, determines whether specific programs can send and receive data through certain ports. For example, a browser needs access to the Internet, so the policy is configured to allow sending and receiving data through Port 80, the standard number.

Does A Firewall Offer Absolute Protection?

Firewalls don't provide absolute protection from hackers or viruses. They're effective at keeping average hackers out, but should be supplemented with up-to-date antivirus software and safe file sharing practices.

Are There Different Types Of Firewalls?

Yes, typically these are either Software based for example Windows Firewall, or can be hardware based for example part of your router. You would typically use only one or the other as using both can cause conflicts.

Why Are Parental Controls Important For Young Internet Users?

The Internet gives us the world at our fingertips. Unfortunately, sometimes those fingers belong to a child. While innocently surfing 'the net', children can be exposed to inappropriate material. They may accidentally reveal personal information, their own or their parents' credit card data, for example.

How Do I Protect My Child When Using The Internet?

The first line of defense is to teach your child how to use the Internet safely. Children are interested in computers and the Internet as early as age two, and young children can be easily guided to appropriate web sites that provide entertainment and education and can guided to avoid posting photos of themselves or providing information online.

Is There Software Available To Protect My Child On-line?

There are a variety of software and hardware tools that can limit your child's Internet access or monitor his or her computer activities. Most cost very little, some are even free, others are simply helpful tips for how to restrict access.

How Does Parental Software Work?

Parental software can work in a number of different ways. Filtering software works by blocking certain web sites or specific keywords. Parents can specify them or use a pre-built list. Filters can also be set up to block access to certain types of Internet traffic such as instant messaging, newsgroups, e-mail, or peer-to-peer (P2P) hosting.

Should I Keep Parental Software Up To Date?

Parental software filters aren't perfect and it's next to impossible for a database to be completely up-to-date because new web sites come onto the Internet all the time, but they help so a personal opinion would be yes.

How Can I Monitor A Childs Computer Activity?

Some types of software record all your child's computer activity - sites visited, e-mails sent or received, programs run, even individual keystrokes (keylogging) in some cases.This software is also used by adults on occassions to check on partners activity as well.

What Is A Virus Hoax?

A virus hoax is typically distributed by e-mail to 'warn' recipients of a new threat to computer systems security. After detailing how this new virus is a serious threat, the e-mail advises you to forward the message to everyone you know. This 'chain letter' effect causes one kind of real harm.

How Are Virus Hoaxes Distributed?

Virus hoaxes can circulate widely typically through innocent e-mail. Suppose a recipient distributes it to 10 people and each of those 10 people distribute it to 10 more people, and so on down the line. After only six generations, one million bogus e-mail messages will circulate throughout the Internet.

Why Are Virus Hoaxes Dangerous?

Basically virus hoaxes are dangerous on two levels. Firstly through innocent distribution to friends and colleaugues. And secondly when the warn you to delete files from your system that in a lot of cases are genuine files. Always check first with your IT department or do a check on the internet to avoid getting caught.

Are Just Computers Prone To Viruses?

Mobile phones, PDAs and other mobile devices are more than just communicators - they're small computers. And, they're on the largest, most public networks in the world. Most don't use Windows, but they all have operating systems and applications so they are vulnerable to.

How Are Mobile Phones And PDA's Prone To Viruses?

Traditionally, most of the operating systems for these devices were burned in the chip and very hard to infect but mobile hard disks are becoming more common and are getting smaller so this is changing.More and more offer services that allow the downloading of music and image files and even whole applications and this is where most vulnerabilities lie.

Can I Spread A Virus To My Pc From My Mobile Device?

Yes. These days, any type of file can be used to store a virus, so, if you download an image file, to your mobile device, then later upload it to your PC you could be infecting your PC.

Are Mobile Phones And PDA's Susceptable To E-mail Viruses?

Yes. Almost all newer phones have the ability to access email from an Internet account. That means they can download an email attachment contained in your online Inbox to your mobile phone or PDA. That virus can be designed to specifically attack a cell phone or PDA.

How Can I Avoid Mobile Phone Or PDA Viruses?

Protect these devices the same way you would a PC at home. Use a mobile anti-virus application and disable 'open' Bluetooth ports on your cell phone or PDA. Check with your manufacturer for more specific tips on how to protect your particular device.

What Can A Computer Virus Attack?

Computer viruses attack servers - web, file, ftp and e-mail, along with routers and other network gear - along with individual PC's and Mobile phones and/or PDA.Make sure your protected by up to date anti virus software.

Can Computer Viruses Attack Servers?

Yes. Servers are usually substantially the same as PC's only with more memory, disk space and processors. Web servers house web pages and programs for Internet users, e-mail servers store, send and receive e-mail, and file and ftp servers make possible storage and distribution of all manner of files for other systems.

How Can I Avoid Infecting My Business Computers With A Virus?

Users and administrators should avoid using bootable CD's, DVD's and also USB pen drives that haven't been virus scanned after being burned with desired software and files. Sometimes the process that creates them propagates viruses.

Is It Worth Locking Down My Business Network To Avoid Virus Problems.

Absolutely yes. Users should take an active role in encouraging administrators to lock down systems. Most admins do a very good job with limited time and resources, but security is usually well down their list of priorities.The more users on the system the higher the risk.

Is It Worth The Cost To Have My Business Networked Locked Down?

Definately Yes. If you get a system wide virus you can lose days of productivity or even all your business data to the point of business collapse. Can your Business afford to lose a days work or all its data if not backed up or could it survive?

What Types Of Firewall Are There?

There are two basic types of firewalls — hardware and software, though the distinction can be misleading. Hardware rarely does much without extra software to guide it, and software can't even exist without hardware. It has to be stored somewhere and execute on something.

What Is An Internal Firewall?

An Internal firewall is a firewall within a corporate networks, typically to keep resources restricted to certain groups, or to prevent viruses infecting some groups from spreading to others.These are generally used when very sensitive or highly important datacould be otherwise put at risk.

Is It Safe To Use A Computer Without A Firewall

Only if you want to willingly put your system at risk. Connecting to the Internet without using a firewall is ill-advised. Open ports are a vulnerability that can be easily exploited by hackers.

Can Anyone Access My Home Network?

Yes. If you have not correctly set up your Wireless connection with security protocols then not only is your connection vulnerable but so are the computers on your network. If you are not sure how to do this contact your local computer professional.

What Are Pop Ups?

Pop-ups are those annoying advertisements that - as the name says - pop up on your monitor as you surf the Internet. Their main purpose is to attract visitors to advertisers' web sites or to collect e-mail addresses.

What Is A Pop Under?

Another type of pop-up is the pop under. Rather than appearing on top of web pages they're hidden until you close the browser window. These are a little bit less intrusive than pop-ups but still an unwanted nuisance.

How Can I Avoid Pop Ups?

It's the nuisance factor of pop-ups that has encouraged almost every web browser designer to include some kind of pop-up killer in their program. The latest versions of all the major browsers have integrated pop-up killers. Some Websites however use pop ups to display desired information so you can allow these manually.

What Is Malware?

Malware is any program designed to do harm, though sometimes what's considered harmful is a bit vague. Viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, pop-ups, even spam and more have all qualified.

What Is Adware?

Adware actually has two flavors - software supported with advertising, or a more malicious sort. The first could be a useful utility released free of charge but using advertising to generate revenue to support development The other, more malicious, type monitors your browsing habits and delivers targeted advertising.

What Is Spyware?

Spyware can have a more insidious meaning, however. This can refer to software which does much more than simply monitor a user's browsing habits. It can also redirect your browser to advertising sites. It is often installed without the user's consent or knowledge. It may be hidden in another program or arrive as the payload of a worm or virus.

How Can I Protect My Computer Against A Trojan Horse Virus?

Most antivirus software will detect and remove Trojans. Keep your virus database up to date to provide the best protection. Some antivirus programs require you to manually scan attachments or other incoming files. Get one that does it automatically. The cost difference is negligible.

How Can I Avoid Getting A Trojan Horse Virus?

Always use caution when opening email attachments, even if they come from a known source. If the attachment is unexpected it should be suspected.One of the biggests risks is those e-mails that are sent from friend to friend mostly quite innocently.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have A Computer Virus?

If the system is still functional and you have access to the Internet, search for current, known viruses. Scan your system manually and search the file system for virus programs or infected files.If you don't know how to do this call in you local IT technician.

<<< Back to Computer Repair