| If you are are a computer user of any type, | | | | some common characteristics that will give us strong |
| recreational surfer, gamer, or internet marketer, the risk | | | | clues that we have an unwanted visitor residing inside |
| of a computer virus attack should not be totally new | | | | our computer. These clues include: |
| to you. Computer internet security is big business these | | | | - Unexplained keyboard problems such as keys |
| days as evidenced by the many internet security | | | | suddenly not working or not doing what they normally |
| products or internet security systems currently | | | | should. |
| available to help protect your computer and/or | | | | - Programs loading and running much slower than |
| network. With anywhere from 100-500 new computer | | | | normal. |
| viruses being discovered daily, this is a very profitable | | | | - Lost data files or files that mysteriously will no longer |
| niche to be in at this time. | | | | open. |
| Ideally most readers of this article will have some kind | | | | - Computer hard drive filling up for no explainable |
| of computer internet security installed as most | | | | reason. |
| commercially sold computers do come with some sort | | | | - Display monitor showing unusual colors or letters |
| of antivirus security pre-install and operating systems | | | | moving towards screen bottom. |
| such as Window XP and Vista do have at least basic | | | | - Appearance on screen of machine gibberish, silly |
| onboard programs running that will detect many | | | | messages, threats, etc. for no apparent reason. |
| common viruses, provided you do your updates on a | | | | - E-mails sent from your computer to people in your |
| regular basis. | | | | address book, without your knowledge Sadly the |
| Unfortunately these "free" antivirus whether part of | | | | above list may not be all that is happening to your |
| your computer O/S, pre-loaded on your computer or | | | | computer and/or network. Many viruses now operate |
| available as a download can only provide you with a | | | | in the background doing their dirty business without you |
| basic level of protection. Certainly this not the best | | | | knowing, such as the infamous "key logger" viruses, |
| internet security available, but obviously much better | | | | that can steal your passwords and credit information, |
| than no virus protection at all. | | | | then pass it on to their creator without your |
| Any type of an antivirus computer internet security | | | | knowledge! Obviously when you become aware that |
| system will provide you with some sort of virus | | | | there is a strong possibility that your computer and/or |
| infection warning. Most often some sort of a scanning | | | | network is under attack, STOP using your computer |
| log that tells the computer user what was discovered | | | | system until you can deal with the threat effectively. |
| and steps taken to deal with the virus threat. | | | | This may mean buying and installing a good quality |
| Unfortunately you get what you pay for with respect | | | | computer internet security software or upgrading what |
| to antivirus programs, so the quality of the computer | | | | you have to something better. If you are a network |
| internet security software you have installed will | | | | user, notify your network administrator immediately of |
| determine just how many viruses types will be | | | | the attack to help prevent the virus infection from |
| identified, (providing you do regular updates), and | | | | spreading to other users. |
| effectively dealt with. Unfortunately it is very possible | | | | Remember the best computer internet security starts |
| that you may have viruses on your computer that | | | | with YOU, the computer owner-operator, and how |
| your current antivirus program, or lack of one, may not | | | | willing you are to practice safe computing practices |
| even identify as being present. | | | | and to spend the money on the best internet security |
| Despite the huge numbers of viruses lurking in | | | | software you can afford. |
| cyberspace or hidden in infected software, there are | | | | |