Computer viruses

Among the vast variety of types of computer programs, there is one kind that deserves special mention. These are computer viruses. The main difference between computer viruses and all others is that they are harmful, i.e. are designed to harm users computer.

Computer viruses are programs that are usually small in size (from 200 to 5000 bytes) that start independently, repeatedly copy their code, attach it to the codes of other programs ("multiply") and interfere with the correct operation of the computer and/or destroy the stored on magnetic disks information (programs and data).

There are computer viruses and less "malignant", causing, for example, resetting the date in the computer, music (losing any melody), resulting in the appearance of display of any image or to distortions in displaying information on the display,"dropping letters", etc.

The creation of computer viruses can be qualified from the legal point of view as a crime.

Interesting reasons that make skilled programmers create computer viruses, because this work is not paid for and can not bring fame. Apparently, for the creators of viruses is a way of self-affirmation, a way to prove their skills and abilities. The creation of computer viruses is carried out by qualified programmers, for one reason or another, who have not found their place in useful activities, in the development of applied programs, suffering from painful conceit or an inferiority complex. Become the creators of computer viruses and those young programmers who have difficulties in communicating with the surrounding people, do not meet the recognition of professionals who are alien to the notion of morality and ethics of the computer field of activity.

There are also such specialists who give their strength and talent to the fight against computer viruses. They studied many computer viruses, developed antivirus programs, recommendations on measures to prevent the destruction of computer virus information and the spread of epidemics of computer viruses.

The main danger, in their opinion, is not in themselves computer viruses, but users of computers and computer programs that are not prepared for meeting with viruses, behaving unskilfully when meeting the symptoms of computer infection, easily panic, which paralyzes the normal operation of the computer.

Only comprehensive preventive measures against computer viruses provide reliable protection against possible loss of information. The package of such measures includes:

regular archiving of information (creating backup copies of important files and system areas of the hard drive);

avoiding the use of randomly received programs (try to use only legitimate ways of obtaining programs);

incoming control of new software;

segmentation of the hard disk, i.e. splitting it into logical partitions with differentiation of access to them;

when searching for computer viruses (which should occur regularly!) try to use a known clean operating system , loaded, for example, with CD/DVD-ROM drive.