COUNTING THE COST OF COMPUTER MALWARE

Computer viruses can be eradicated.  The flip side is that they can do devastating damage to computers in a very short space of time. 

A brief search unveils the mind-boggling cost of malicious software.  The ‘I Love You’ virus in 2000 was estimated to cost up to 15 billion dollars, the Code red worm cost in the region of two and a half billion dollars and the MyDoom virus is said to have slowed internet speeds by up to ten per cent, to name just a few.

There are many different types of malicious software or malware, of which viruses are one – and the others include computer worms, Trojan horses, adware and spyware .  These are all equally as damaging whether you’re in the White House, in the boardroom of a global business organisation or at a desk at home.    

If you’re in any doubt about virus removal and whether you may be at risk, consult a computer repairs specialist as soon as possible and they can quickly identify if your problems are caused by malware or are computer-related.  Anti virus software is quick and easy to download and install, but as Perth Computer Repairs urges, make sure it’s a comprehensive program that is updated regularly.

The following are signs that your computer could be infected by a virus :

·         Consistently slower than normal computer

·         Files deleted

·         Problems with hardware, such as printer issues, keyboard not working etc

·         Disables ports

·         Can’t access discs or disc drives

·         The time and/or date changes

·         Increase in file sizes

·         Extended boot times

·         Computer makes strange noises

·         Images flash up at random intervals

·         Different ‘error’ messages flash up

·         Unresponsive computer, locks itself

·         Restarts every few minutes

·         Applications don’t work properly

It’s generally quicker and easier sorting out a computer virus than a human one.  Often, the computer (the patient) doesn’t have to even leave the premises to get help, and nor does the computer ‘doctor’ have to make a housecall to diagnose and fix an infection.  Many computer repairs these days are conducted over the internet, computer to computer.

So who creates these monsters?  Well, not all the perpetrators have been identified, but when they are, they face serious charges.  The 1998 virus, Solar Sunrise, took control of over 500 computers belonging to the military, government and the private sector in the US and was originally believed to have been the work of operatives in Iraq.  Later, it was discovered that two US teenagers from California were behind it.  The Melissa virus, named after a lap dancer who had been acquainted with the creator, was the brainchild of David Smith, who was sentenced to 20 months behind bars and paid a hefty fine.  The virulent ‘I Love You’ virus was written by a young Filipino student who escaped punishment because of a lack of legislation in the Philippines. 

The Sasser virus, which shut down the communications systems of some French news agencies and forced Delta Airlines to cancel several flights was written by a German high school student.   Because he wrote the code when he was still a minor, he was found guilty of computer sabotage and given a suspended sentence. 

There are some virus creators who have escaped detection.  There is still a big reward on offer for the successful identification and prosecution of the author of the 2003 worm, Sobig, which generated massive amounts of internet traffic by replicating itself.  Recently, authorities arrested the administrators of the Mariposa botnet which infected computers in around 40 banks in 180 countries but the authors have still not been caught.  The term botnet often applies to groups of computer systems that have had malicious software installed by worms, Trojan horses or other malicious software that allows the botnet’s originator to control them.

Viruses are created for a number of reasons ranging from boredom, thrill-seeking and criminal intent.  Regardless of the reason they were created, viruses need to be removed and a slow computer cleaned up, say Perth Computer Repairs.  They can compromise security, cause substantial damage and can cost both time and money to fix the damage.  They advise everyone and anyone with a computer to install and regularly maintain proven network protection against digital dangers.