Ways To Get Computer Viruses

the following are the ways in which your computer can receive viruses.

1. Opening attachments or links from unknown or spoofed emails

shown above are two examples of how viruses can often appear as legitimate messages, but are designed to trick the computer user.

This is one of the most common ways of getting infected with a virus or ransomware. E-mails are spoofed to look legitimate and contain an attachment or link that will infect your machine when clicked on. These spoofed emails are crafted so well these days that even a seasoned professional can be thrown off guard if not careful! Make sure you pay attention to the details before you open or click on anything.


2. Downloading software from malicious sites

When your computer gets infected with a virus, it’s common for someone to joke and say, “What kind of questionable files were you downloading?” It’s a common misconception that viruses only come from inappropriate or problematic websites, but viruses are a danger everywhere on the internet. Even if you're downloading software from a trusted source, there are still traps that can infect your computer.

For example, a user wants to download the Google Chrome browser and clicks on the link. The link provides the Google Chrome download file, which the user installs successfully. Unbeknownst to the user, the download package was injected with a virus and the computer is now infected (this problem actually occurs very often).


3. Online Ads

Malicious online ads, also known as Malvertising, is just another way your computer can get a virus without any realization or traceable evidence. Criminals often place clean ads on trusted websites and leave them in place for a while to gain credibility. After some time passes they put a malicious code in the ad that infects your computer when clicked on.


4. Social media

People are generally more relaxed about clicking on links published on social media sites and links shared by their contacts.

For example, there was a virus spreading on Facebook that infected thousands of people’s computers. This particular virus spread through a video that required a special software (plug-in) so the user could watch. The virus captured and recorded passwords used to log into your computer.


5. Unpatched software

The last topic we’ll discuss is one that most people overlook. Another way you can put your computer at risk of a virus infection is through unpatched software. Security holes unknown to software maker or antivirus vendors are also known as Zero-Day vulnerabilities. Exploits that stem from security holes affect software companies small and large, including the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Google.

NB, avoid those things in order to make your computer safely any time.

prepared by ibrahim mchuchuri.