Absolute PC Security and Privacy.pdf

This thinking is sound—to a point. That’s because simply being connected to a network or to
the Internet doesn’t transfer infected files to your computer. The file transfer has to be
triggered by another operation—downloading a file, receiving an e-mail message, accepting a
file during instant messaging, and so on. And, of course, just accepting a file doesn’t infect
your computer; you have to open the file for the infection to occur.
So there’s nothing inherently risky about the connection between your computer and other
computers—at least in terms of computer viruses. Where being connected can cause problems
is in the area of Internet-based attacks. When you’re connected to the Internet (or to a
network), your computer is at risk of a malicious attack by another computer; if you’re not
connected, you can’t be attacked.
The only thing a computer attack has in common with a virus infection is that they both can
seriously damage your computer system. Learn more about computer attacks in Chapter 13,
“Understanding Internet-Based Attacks.”
Risky Behavior
So far, so good. You can run commercial programs on your PC, surf the Web, send and
receive e-mail, and even do a little chatting and instant messaging, all without putting your
system at significant risk. What, then, are the behaviors that do put your system at risk What
activities should you avoid
Disk Sharing
Although you probably don’t do it very often, you probably shouldn’t accept any floppy
disks—from anyone. If someone hands you a floppy, don’t insert it in your PC’s floppy drive.
That floppy could contain a virus-infected file, or even an extremely damaging boot sector
virus.
This warning goes for any removable storage media—including ZIP disks and recordable/
writable CDs. Any item that another user can copy data to can also be used to store viruses.
When you insert the infected media into your PC, the infection is then transferred to your
system.
File Downloading
A lot of users download a lot of files from the Internet. You can download software
applications from file archives, MP3 files from digital music archives, and PC games from
gaming archives. Any time you download a file, you run the risk of downloading a computer
virus.
You’re more at risk if you download files from lesser-known sites. The major file archives
(Tucows, ZDNet, and CNET, for example) religiously check their files for infection, which
makes them relatively safe. Less visible sites, especially sites run by individuals, are less
diligent about checking for viruses—which makes them prime targets for virus writers
looking to increase the circulation of their creations.