OMG! Please stop trying to download that file. It has a virus! It will corrupt your PC and everything on it. Also be wary of certain other pop ups as they are designed to panic you into click on download etc box. Also sometimes a very clever little trap.
Not all computer viruses are made by spotty teenagers in empty, pizza box filled dark bedrooms, trying to break your computer for sport and infamy. It’s equally possible they’re created by hi-tech, organised crime, hot-houses aiming to steal your cash, identity or information. Yet while we talk about viruses, actually they break down into three types:
• Viruses. These are transmitted via websites, as an attachment in e-mails, directly over the internet, or on disks or other removable media. They hide in applications or files and spread from computer to computer. There are many kinds; some serious, some contagious and some that remain dormant:
• Trojans. Trojan (horses) are hidden within a file that looks harmless, like a picture of a celebrity, aiming to trick the user into opening installing the malicious software like spy-ware or ad-ware on the computer.
• Worms. Worms take advantage of any open Internet connection, to try and sneak in and replicate on the computer. Once loaded, they often start to send spam from your computer without your knowledge.
How to stop them?
Quite simply, never open any e-mail attachment if you don’t know the sender or aren’t expecting a file; and ensure you have, updated anti-virus software. This should always be active when your computer is on, its job is to recognise current viruses, as well as older ones, and reverse any damage.
It’s crucial that you regularly download updates for anti-virus software, so it can protect you from any new bugs. Unfortunately anti-virus software can slow your computer down, but frankly that’s simply a price you must pay.
The Free Software
Pay for anti-virus software from the biggies Symantec/Norton or Mcafee and it’ll cost roughly £50. Don’t worry though, there’s decent freeware available.
• AVG. The most widely used free anti-virus software is AVG from Grisoft which makes money by selling virus protection to small businesses. To promote this, it offers domestic users a very professional free version which allows regularly updates. One quick note, if you already have AVG version 7.1 you may get a pop-up saying 'it's ending and you'll be charged', don't worry this doesn't mean AVG is ending its free virus checker, just that you need to switch to its version 7.5 to keep it free (the above link takes you there).
• Avast. Like AVG, Avast is free for non-commercial users and also offers regular updates, plus technical support via e-mail or phone is available. After a 60 day trial you get a free licence key to use which lasts a year. To carry on using it, simply re-register.
As an extra layer of protection, there are also some free anti-virus check up prgrams. If you’re worried your PC is infected and your virus software isn’t picking it up, try Pandasoftware or Housecall; go to their sites and they run an instant check up.
A note about new PCs
Often companies throw in free anti-virus programs hoping you’ll subscribe to them out of convenience, once the free trial ends. By all means take advantage of the free offer, but then ditch and switch to a free version when it expires. Ensure you delete the trial version though, as running more than one anti-virus program can cause problems.
Hope this is of some help but please speak to a professional immediately! Good luck.