Questions About Computer Viruses

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

I don't know much about computer viruses, other than what is recommended to avoid them. So, I have some questions, below, I'm hoping some of you might be able to answer.

I can think of only two ways a virus could infect your computer, assuming it wasn't infected when you got it. Through the internet, e-mail, or some network of which you're a part. Or, by an infected disc you load onto your computer.

If your computer has no interface with any computer but itself, and you don't use any discs with it, then it can't become infected, right?

I also am assuming a virus would have to enter your computer in the form of energy, in other words an external signal from your network or from the infected disc. It may exist as software, but that software has to be transmitted in some electronic form to your computer, correct?

Is there any difference between a signal that is not carrying a virus, and one that is?

Has anyone thought about finding a permanent, hardware, solution to viruses? Maybe there is some way some device could be installed that would be able to destroy viruses by diverting or interfering with the energy of the signal containing the virus, if it could detect something wrong with the incoming energy?

I just have this kind of queasy feeling that companies like Norton and McAfee profit from the fact people create viruses. That causes me to think it is possible they wouldn't really have any interest in some kind of permanent solution to viruses, and that they might actually be contributing to, rather than helping with, the problem. I don't believe the companies behave with anything other than the highest level of ethics guiding them, and that they are working for all of our best interests, but I'd like to get rid of any seed of doubt, if you know what I mean.

[Sgt. Awesome]

Alright. From what I understand... if you have a non-networked computer that isn't connected to the internet, you pretty much can't get a virus.

It's actually suprising hard to get a virus. Most major ones are exe files, which you have to download and open by yourself. The most common thing for these is disguised free/sharewear or cracked programs.

There are a few that come in as cookies, I haven't experianced those as much.

My friends computer was so filled with viruses that he could bairly turn it on, he looks at a lot of porn... so if you want to avoid spywear and viruses don't do that.

There are ideas that McAfee and Norton CREATE 70% of the consumer viruses that their products protect you against. I don't know how true it is, but it makes sense.


Really watch what you download and empty your brower cache every-so-often and you'll do ok.

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

I've never found a virus on this computer, and today I completely upgraded my whole security package. I've added a firewall, e-mail spam blocking, spyware and adware blocking, and anti-virus software.

I am not clear on what settings I should and should not choose, which I'll call about on Tuesday for a thorough walk through if possible. However, if anyone knows anything about firewall protection software, and e-mail spam blocking software, please share that with me, thanks.

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

Alright. From what I understand... if you have a non-networked computer that isn't connected to the internet, you pretty much can't get a virus.

It's actually suprising hard to get a virus. Most major ones are exe files, which you have to download and open by yourself. The most common thing for these is disguised free/sharewear or cracked programs.

There are a few that come in as cookies, I haven't experianced those as much.

My friends computer was so filled with viruses that he could bairly turn it on, he looks at a lot of porn... so if you want to avoid spywear and viruses don't do that.

There are ideas that McAfee and Norton CREATE 70% of the consumer viruses that their products protect you against. I don't know how true it is, but it makes sense.


Really watch what you download and empty your brower cache every-so-often and you'll do ok.

Thanks. I can't imagine the anti-virus software companies create the viruses, but I do think that maybe they aren't being creative enough in developing a hardware solution. If you have a device or some type of physical deterent to computer viruses, no amount of code manipulation will allow anyone to infect another computer, unless they physically disable the device on the computer itself. I have to believe there is some kind of solution like that.

[Lavoruis]

The Medical establishment is a bussiness like any other bussiness
it need's customers, if your sick then it's good bussiness.
same token goes with computer virus companies.
it's probably true what you said :( frigging Greed!
I got most of this statement from Seinfeld EP:D

[neglet]

After that, I need a doctor to treat the tendinitis in my paddling elbow.

[omicron]

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virus.htm

Ok, the simpliest answer is that if your computer is not on a network, chances are almost non-existant that you will get a virus. You'd have to load it yourself, probably by running the program that has the virus. An analogy would be if you lived in a sterile environment, you'd only be able to get sick if you exposed yourself to a virus.

Of course, since you generally use your computer to get online(or else you'd never be able to post here :)) you are vulnerable. While it's generally safe, there are ways to get infected. The most common is email attachments or downloaded programs. The main protection is to NOT EVER click on something someone sends you unless you know for sure it's safe. And don't believe just because someone you know sent you something it's safe. Many times malacious software(or malware) has it's own email program to send out infected. Another way is to visit websites that have the bad code embedded in their webpage, which causes your computer to run the code when it trys to open the webpage.

In terms of your question of transmittal, a signal is a signal. All your computer does is interpret the electrial 1's and 0's. It doesn't know if it's telling your operating system to play a sound or delete the hard drive. There really is no 'hardware' solution, since a virus doesn't cause 'physical' damage.

It's an interesting conspiracy theory, however I don't take much stock in it. That would be like the AMA and WHO creating viruses to keep their doctors and hospitals in business. Sure it's possible, but I wouldn't worry your tinfoil-covered head about it. :lol: Plus there are many good and FREE virus fighters ( http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1), not too mention the fact that Micro$oft patches their software for free whenever a new security hole is discovered.

Omi