Does Education have a role in moulding the thinking patterns of people?
COMPUTER VIRUSES: AN OVERVIEW
Prof. Saquib Ahmad Khan, Research Scholar, Shri. J.J.T University, Rajasthan.
Abstract
In recent years the detection of computer viruses has become common place. It appears that most part of these viruses have been ‗benign‘ or only mildly destructive. However, whether or not computer viruses have the potential to cause major and prolonged disruptions of computing environments is an open question. This paper discusses computer viruses and how they differ from Trojans, worms, and hoaxes. The term virus is often used as a generic reference to any malicious code that is not, in fact, a true computer virus. This paper discusses viruses, Trojans, worms, and hoaxes and ways to prevent them.
Keywords: Benign, Trojans, worms, Virus hoaxes.
Introduction: A computer virus is a program file capable of reproducing its own special code and attaching that code to other files without the knowledge of the user. When the newly- amended program or file runs, the virus code runs, also, and searches out other files to which it can adhere. These other files may reside on a floppy disk or the computer hard drive; they may range from common word processor programs or spreadsheets to e-mail address books.A computer virus we can say is a small software program or a piece of code that is loaded on your computer system while using internet can spread from one computer to another and running without your knowledge. Computer viruses can also replicate and they are man-made. How the replication done in the computer virus? A simple virus that can make copy of itself over and over again and that would be easy to produce. Sometimes a simple virus is very dangerous because it stored in your system available memory and when after some time all the small virus collected it may halt you system. A virus has a capacity to corrupt the files located in you system and it also has a capability to spread the virus via e-mail program and effect the system other email addresses in your online address book. It can also delete everything on your hard disk that would be the worst case scenario. A virus can also affect your system security. In 1987, a virus infect ARPANET, then the Defence department and other universities using large network, many antivirus programs become available. Such programs are invent because they check periodically your system and prevent it from known viruses.
OBJECTIVE:
1) To study and know the concept of virus.
2) To study and understand the recognized types of viruses.
3) To understand the difference between viruses, worms and Trojans. 4) To know what is not a virus.
5) To analyze and understand safe computing.
What is a virus? A computer virus is a small program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. A virus must meet two criteria:
It must execute itself. It will often place its own code in the path of execution of another program.
It must replicate itself. For example, it may replace other executable files with a copy of the virus infected file. Viruses can infect desktop computers and network servers alike.
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Some viruses are programmed to damage the computer by damaging programs, deleting files, or reformatting the hard disk. Others are not designed to do any damage, but simply to replicate themselves and make their presence known by presenting text, video, and audio messages. Even these benign viruses can create problems for the computer user. They typically take up computer memory used by legitimate programs. As a result, they often cause erratic behavior and can result in system crashes. In addition, many viruses are bug- ridden, and these bugs may lead to system crashes and data loss.There are five recognized types of viruses:
File infector viruses:File infector viruses infect program files. These viruses normally infect executable code, such as .com and .exe files. The can infect other files when an infected program is run from floppy, hard drive, or from the network. Many of these viruses are memory resident. After memory becomes infected, any uninfected executable that runs becomes infected. Examples of known file infector viruses include Jerusalem and Cascade.
Boot sector viruses:Boot sector viruses infect the system area of a disk--that is, the boot record on floppy disks and hard disks. All floppy disks and hard disks (including disks containing only data) contain a small program in the boot record that is run when the computer starts up. Boot sector viruses attach themselves to this part of the disk and activate when the user attempts to start up from the infected disk. These viruses are always memory resident in nature. Most were written for DOS, but, all PCs, regardless of the operating system, are potential targets of this type of virus. All that is required to become infected is to attempt to start up your computer with an infected floppy disk thereafter, while the virus remains in memory, all floppy disks that are not write protected will become infected when the floppy disk is accessed. Examples of boot sector viruses are Form, Disk Killer, Michelangelo, and Stoned.
Master boot record viruses:Master boot record viruses are memory resident viruses that infect disks in the same manner as boot sector viruses. The difference between these two virus types is where the viral code is located. Master boot record infectors normally save a legitimate copy of the master boot record in a different location. Windows NT computers that become infected by either boot sector viruses or master boot sector viruses will not boot. This is due to the difference in how the operating system accesses its boot information, as compared to Windows 95/98. If your Windows NT systems is formatted with FAT partitions you can usually remove the virus by booting to DOS and using antivirus software. If the boot partition is NTFS, the system must be recovered by using the three Windows NT Setup disks. Examples of master boot record infectors are NYB, AntiExe, and Unashamed.
Multipartite viruses:Multipartite (also known as polypartite) viruses infect both boot records and program files. These are particularly difficult to repair. If the boot area is cleaned, but the files are not, the boot area will be reinfected. The same holds true for cleaning infected files. If the virus is not removed from the boot area, any files that you have cleaned will be reinfected. Examples of multipartite viruses include One Half, Emperor, Anthrax and Tequilla.
Macro viruses:These types of viruses infect data files. They are the most common and have cost corporations the most money and time trying to repair. With the advent of Visual
JAN-MAR, 2018, VOL-7/37 Page 159 Basic in Microsoft's Office 97, a macro virus can be written that not only infects data files, but also can infect other files as well. Macro viruses infect Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access files. Newer strains are now turning up in other programs as well. All of these viruses use another program's internal programming language, which was created to allow users to automate certain tasks within that program. Because of the ease with which these viruses can be created, there are now thousands of them in circulation. Examples of macro viruses include W97M.Melissa, WM.NiceDay, and W97M.Groov.
What is a Trojan horse? Trojan horses are impostors--files that claim to be something desirable but, in fact, are malicious. A very important distinction from true viruses is that they do not replicate themselves, as viruses do. Trojans contain malicious code, that, when triggered, cause loss, or even theft, of data. In order for a Trojan horse to spread, you must, in effect, invite these programs onto your computers--for example, by opening an email attachment. The PWSteal.Trojan is a Trojan.
What is a worm? Worms are programs that replicate themselves from system to system without the use of a host file. This is in contrast to viruses, which requires the spreading of an infected host file. Although worms generally exist inside of other files, often Word or Excel documents, there is a difference between how worms and viruses use the host file. Usually the worm will release a document that already has the "worm" macro inside the document. The entire document will travel from computer to computer, so the entire document should be considered the worm. PrettyPark.Worm is a particularly prevalent example.
What is a blended threat? Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities to initiate, transmit, and spread an attack. By using multiple methods and techniques, blended threats can rapidly spread and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include the following:
Causes harm:Launches a Denial of Service (DoS) attack at a target IP address, defaces Web servers, or plants Trojan horse programs for later execution.
Propagates by multiple methods:Scans for vulnerabilities to compromise a system, such as embedding code in HTML files on a server, infecting visitors to a compromised Web site, or sending unauthorized email from compromised servers with a worm attachment.
Attacks from multiple points:Injects malicious code into the .exe files on a system, raises the privilege level of the guest account, creates world read and writeable network shares, makes numerous registry changes, and adds script code into HTML files.
Spreads without human intervention:continuously scans the Internet for vulnerable servers to attack.
Exploits vulnerabilities:Takes advantage of known vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, HTTP input validation vulnerabilities, and known default passwords to gain unauthorized administrative access.Effective protection from blended threats requires a comprehensive security solution that contains multiple layers of defense and response mechanisms.
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What is an expanded threat? An expanded threat is an application or software-based executable that is either independent or interdependent on another software program, and meets one or more of the following criteria:
Is considered to be non-viral in nature (that is, does not spread on its own using a virus-like mechanism, or meet the definition of a worm or Trojan horse), yet conforms in a significant way to the general definition of a category of expanded threat.
Has been submitted to Symantec by a critical number of either corporate or individual users within a given timeframe. The timeframe and number may vary by category and by threat.
Can be shown to create a general nuisance related to one of the specified threat categories, or exhibits behavior that is as yet undefined under a broader category of expandedthreat
What is a virus hoax? Virus hoaxes are messages, almost always sent by email, that amount to little more than chain letters. Some of the common phrases used in these hoaxes are:
If you receive an email titled [email virus hoax name here], do not open it!
Delete it immediately!
It contains the [hoax name] virus.
It will delete everything on your hard drive and [extreme and improbable danger specified here].
This virus was announced today by [reputable organization name here].
Forward this warning to everyone you know!
Most virus hoax warnings do not deviate far from this pattern. If you are unsure whether a virus warning is legitimate or a hoax, additional information is available at the Symantec Security Response hoaxes site.
What is not a virus? Because of the publicity that viruses have received, it is easy to blame any computer problem on a virus. The following are not likely to be caused by a virus or other malicious code:
Hardware problems. There are no viruses that can physically damage computer hardware, such as chips, boards, and monitors.
The computer beeps at start up with no screen display. This is usually caused by a hardware problem during the boot process. Consult your computer documentation for the meaning of the beep codes.
The computer does not register 640 KB of conventional memory. This can be a sign of a virus, but it is not conclusive. Some hardware drivers such as those for the monitor or SCSI card can use some of this memory. Consult with your computer manufacturer or hardware vendor to determine if this is the case.
You have two antivirus programs installed and one of them reports a virus. While this could be a virus, it can also be caused by one antivirus program detect the other program's signatures in memory. For additional information, see should you run more than one antivirus program at the same time?
You are using Microsoft Word and Word warns you that a document contains a macro. This does not mean that the macro is a virus.
You are not able to open a particular document. This is not necessarily an indication of a virus. Try opening another document or a backup of the document in question. If other documents open correctly, the document may be damaged.
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The label on a hard drive has changed. Every disk is allowed to have a label. You can assign a label to a disk by using the DOS Label command of from within Windows.
What is safe computing?
With all the hype, it is easy to believe that viruses lurk in every file, every email, and every Web site. However, a few basic precautions can minimize your risk of infection. Practice safe computing and encourage everyone you know to do so as well.
General precautions
Be suspicious of email attachments from unknown sources.
Verify that attachments have been sent by the author of the email. Threats can send email messages that appear to be from people you know.
Do not set your email program to "auto-run" attachments.
Obtain all Microsoft security updates.
Back up your data frequently. Keep the (write protected) media in a safe place--preferably in a different location than your computer.
Specific to Symantec Endpoint Protection
Make sure that you have the most recent virus and spyware definitions. Symantec Security Response updates Symantec Endpoint Protection definitions in response to new virus threats three times daily. By default, the unmanaged client checks for updates every four hours; the managed client updates from the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager as soon as new content is available. You can also run Live Update manually. Other content, such as Intrusion Prevention signatures, is updated less frequently, but as needed. For additional information, please see Virus Definitions & Security Updates.
Always keep Auto-Protect running. Symantec Security Response strongly recommends that you have scans set to scan all files, not just program files.
Scan all new software before you install it.
Scan all media that someone else has given you.
Use caution when opening email attachments. Email attachments are a major source of virus infections. Microsoft Office attachments for Word, Excel, and Access can be infected by Macro viruses. Other attachments can contain file infector viruses. File system Auto-Protect will scan these attachments for viruses as you open or detach them, as do the client email scanners.
LIMITATION: