These days’ people are downloading and exchanging more information over the Internet then ever before. People who are sharing files over the Internet are in such a rush, they forget about those nasty little bugs that can add up over time and make your files act oddly, crash your computer, pop up bizarre messages, or worst of all, destroy your operating system. A computer virus is one of the main problems people have with their computers. It usually loads itself into your computer system when you run a program with an attachment. From then on, it’ll reproduce itself by attaching copies of itself to other programs on your hard drive. When a virus opens up and exposes itself, it is set up to look like something you might want to download on your computer. This is why you have to be careful when opening certain programs and always make sure you take the time to look around for signs. When you want to see if a virus is attached somewhere in your operating system you have to launch the program and if something unexpected happened, then you will know it is too late.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, the most important actions you can take to protect your operating system against viruses is to:
•       Install antivirus
•       Do not open e-mail attachments
•       Keep your operating system updated

After doing some more research on how to protect your computer from viruses, I came across some other way to protect your operating system from these annoying little bugs.
•       Be sure to do a full back up of your system on regular basis
•       Be aware of hoaxes
•       Don’t allow your web browser to automatically run programs.

I hope my blog has informed all of you how to protect your operating systems. But wait, were not done yet.  Viruses are not the only type of programs that are written solely to destroy your computer or use it in an unauthorized way. Other programs are Logic Bombs, Trojan Horses, and Worms. Do some of your own research on these programs and help your computer before these monsters destroy it!


Almedina Suljicic


http://www.howstuffworks.com/virus7.htm

http://www.sovereignbank.com/business/security_center/protect_computer_against_virus.asp

Malware and Society

   
      In my last blog I discussed how big of an impact a virus or worm can have on society. The reality is quite sobering and hopefully shed some light on the necessity of being careful to whom and where you release personal information to. This blog will talk more about how someone would use malware to gain access to this kind of information. Hopefully by understanding the process, one might be able to prevent their personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Then I will also discuss more ways in which a simple virus can compromise a whole society.

    The first thing to understand is the distinction between Malware, viruses, worms, and etc. Malware is a general term that describes malicious software. This software is generally what will contain the actual virus itself. A virus will attach itself to an executable file so it can spread itself, whereas a worm replicates itself by sending copies of itself over a network. A Trojan horse is a term used to describe a certain kind of coding that will allow a virus to operate without detection under the guise that the actually software is supposed to be doing something else. Key logging application records keystrokes and sends them back to someone who can then decipher it and use it to gain access to whatever they were looking for. All of these tools are utilized by hackers today allowing them to gain access to massive amounts of data.

    In the last blog I discussed the PSN hack, while it is unclear how they actually got into the network, it is clear they utilized a system of physical and computer based means to accomplish this task. This allowed them access to the information of over 70 million users which are now at risk for phishing scams or similar kinds of issues. A nuclear facility also had a breach when a tainted USB device carrying an unknown virus infected the mainframe of one of their plants. While nothing extremely urgent was reported it did expose the flaws in their security protocols on these devices. If the virus had been used in such a way it would not be very difficult to infect the plants and cause a Chernobyl anywhere in the world. This again shows the dangers of our increasingly heavy reliance on computers, but yet at this crossroad it is also a necessity to do so.



Jonathan Alsop


Sources

http://thehackernews.com/2013/01/malware-infects-us-powers-through-usb.html#_
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware#Infectious_malware:_viruses_and_worms

Effects of Viruses or Worms on Personal Computers

Viruses or worms can have a significant impact on your personal computer.  Before you can understand the effects that a virus might have on you as a user, you need to understand the definition of a virus.  A virus is “a self replicating application that spreads by making copies of itself by inserting into other programs.”  There are multiple ways that a virus could affect you personally.  

The most obvious problem that a virus can cause is to destroy your computer.  Because viruses can target data stored in your hard drive, a virus may completely crash your computer.  At this point, you may not even be able to reboot your computer.  This can cause inconveniences for you, as well as the financial burden of having to purchase a new computer. 

Not all viruses are so significant that they would completely destroy a computer.  Some attack the memory of the PC, which may result in significantly slower performance from the computer.   

Keeping photos and copies of contracts, or receipts on your computer is relatively common.  Having your computer crash from a virus may result in you losing these irreplaceable files if they are not also stored on an external disc or hard drive.  That is why backing up your data on an external drive is so important. 

        Bryce Morgan

http://www.pctechguide.com/virus-removal/how-does-a-virus-impact-my-computer

http://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/effects-of-computer-viruses-lljef.html

Problems with worms and viruses

Hello all,

     We all know of worms and viruses and the capabilities that they may have. The purposes may differ from each different virus or worm depending on the creator. As we learn through the video from Mikko Hypponen in the beginning of the malicious software it was for hobbyist. The malicious software would just be annoying and done for fun. As the world integrates its everyday activities with the Internet, we also become more vulnerable to the evils of viruses and worms.
      A virus is described as a computer program that copies itself from one computer to another. A virus needs someone to tell it to go from one computer to the next, a worm on the other hands simply moves from network to network on its on behalf, needing no one. A big thing that Mikko discusses in his speech is that criminal organizations have taken control of coding these viruses. Codes such as acquiring the information that you key in on your computer. Imagine someone watching everything you type on your computer, this includes bank information, name, address, phone, social security. If someone with bad intent were to gain access to this information you would be in a heep of trouble. Organizations also program viruses into computer making the device unusable, in turn the criminal organization would buy the computer from the owner. Not only would they have all your information but now they may remove the software and sell it again for a profit.
      The general purpose of viruses and worms is to make life that much harder. The Internet is a great thing but if not careful can be extremely dangerous and financially crippling. As the Internet advances as do the minds of the hackers and programmers that write these codes that take all our vital information. The only thing i can say is be carefull where you online shop and don't open unfamiliar emails.


Hector Hernandez,

Over and out










http://mscns.wustl.edu/medlib/becker.nsf/WV/2665BE08842BBAF986256FB2006851C6?OpenDocument

http://www.ted.com/talks/mikko_hypponen_fighting_viruses_defending_the_net.html

The REAL Cost of doing Business with Computer Viruses

We all know that computer viruses that happen on our personal computers can be costly, so imagine the economic impact on businesses that viruses can have.  Several years ago Google reported a cost of $500,000 after an attack on their information.  The cost was calculated by looking at revenue lost by fighting a malicious virus and the hours spent used to fight off the virus.  $500,000 compared to the amount of revenue Google earns may not seem like much money, but when it comes to smaller businesses, the impact can be much larger.  Computer viruses can cause more financial trouble for businesses then they may realize. 

There are many aspects that can cause the financial troubles a company faces when they are attacked by computer viruses, malicious software, or worms.  First of all if there is a computer virus sent by a hacker it could release important financial information about the company.  If financial information about the company is leaked the hacker could have access to assets of the company.  Customer information could also be leaked which could lead to the loss of sales or revenue being brought into the business.  

Many costs that come with a business being attacked by a computer virus is the money spent trying to fight off the attackers that deployed the virus.  Google was a prime example of a company who had to pay out a hefty amount of money to try to fight off a virus that was attacking their system.  Many hours and people will have to be used to try and keep the virus from infiltrating the companies system.  

Finally the money that needs to be paid to replace firewalls that are attacked after the virus has been subdued.  Many of the viruses that hit companies can destroy information that is in the company so cleaning up after the virus can be costly.  It may take time and effort to read and check all the documents and information that is currently in the system and that may have been compromised.  

For companies it is definitely best to try to put up protection against the viruses, although with hackers wanting to obtain important information makes it difficult.  Companies will be better off by putting a small amount of money down to try and prevent many of the attacks that could become problematic in the long run.  Even though anti-virus software and many precautions that often suggested will not always work, it is still worth the money that it could save in the long run.  

http://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/18816957/computer-virus-costs-reach-10-7-billion-this-year.htm 

http://news.cnet.com/Computer-crime-costs-67-billion,-FBI-says/2100-7349_3-6028946.html 

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/f-b-i-memos-reveal-cost-of-a-hacking-attack/

Haley Hunt

Could viruses hitting businesses affect YOU?

We are all familiar with businesses such as Apple, Facebook, Twitter, and other companies that we interact with on a daily basis.  Maybe you check your bank account every day or your e-mail.  While technology has made our lives easier, it is becoming increasingly easier for hackers to send out computer viruses, worms, or malicious software.  On February 19th Apple released that a small number of its computers had been affected with malicious software.  A week prior to Apple’s release, Facebook had also sent out a statement saying that it too had been attacked by malicious software.  These two companies reported that no information was stolen, but the end result could have easily been different.  With so many companies having viruses infiltrate their system it could affect not only the customer’s personal information, but it can also affect the business.  If you found out that malicious software had infiltrated Facebook and obtained information that you have provided would it make you think twice about keep your account activated?  Companies, such as Apple, that have your credit card information from purchases would also be problematic if a virus had enabled a hacker to obtain your personal information.  With computers becoming such a major part of businesses it is important for them to think about how best to protect the customer’s information. 

Another major business that is being impacted greatly by computer viruses, worms, and malicious software is banks.  With all of our personal information being kept on the banks database it is just waiting for a hacker to use malicious software to obtain not only information about our bank account, but also information that will lead to taking our money and stealing our identity.  Our banks not only have access to all of our money, but they also have our social security numbers.  Viruses are becoming more prevalent, but it is making customers more worrisome about their personal information.  Many customers of banks may decide to switch to a different bank if they feel that their identity and bank account could be in jeopardy of being hacked due to viruses or malicious software. 

With companies having viruses and malicious software infiltrate their computer systems it is beginning to hurt their businesses.  Technology has made our lives easier, but it is also making our personal information less secure.  It is impossible for companies to be completely protected from viruses, but they must spend extra time and effort to try to protect their companies as much as possible.  There are many reasons a company will want to protect itself from viruses and the main one being to protect customer information.  If a customer’s information is protected it will increase profits because it will lead to repeat customers

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/apple-macs-offices-hacked-18540229

http://redtape.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/06/9986119-new-virus-raids-your-bank-account-but-you-wont-notice?lite

http://www.talkingbiznews.com/1/computer-virus-affecting-dow-jones

Haley Hunt