PC self-defence: keeping your PCs safe and data secure

Unfortunately, most computer systems suffer problems from time to time, whether through hardware or software failure, viruses and other nasty infections. This usually causes an inconvenience rather than a catastrophe, but it can be a long and tortuous path back to full operations, costing time and money.

Prevention is better than cure
It is useful for all staff and volunteers to know how to prevent problems by learning about viruses and other malicious software.

Risk assessment
Assess the impact that problems with technology would have on your work and do what you can do to manage those risks.

What is a virus?

Malware (MALicious softWARE) is the current catch-all term covering a range of different software which you need to defend yourself against, including computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, rootkits and other malicious and unwanted software.

The name given may relate to how the infection is spread, or how it behaves once activated. Many of these terms are used interchangeably and the difference between a worm and a virus is more or less irrelevant to the person under attack.

You could be plagued by irritating pop-up adverts or spam email, or be downloading files hidden inside something seemingly innocent, known as Trojan horses. These could be tracking your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile that will be sold to advertising companies, or stealing the passwords to your bank account.

Many virus-writers want recognition for inventing clever ways of causing problems, or take pleasure from causing as much harm or panic as possible. Others are in it for the money. They may try to steal your identity to get access to your bank account, run auto-diallers to connect you to £1.50-a-minute X-rated lines, or set up fake banking websites trying to steal account details.

Even if you can't see anything going wrong, you may be infected, so it pays to play safe.