Stand alone viruses

What is it?

Stand alone viruses are a computer virus that can run alone on your personal computer system that has a Windows 98 or later versions. These viruses do not need a [http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnanchor/html/scriptinga.asp visual basic script] to run, as they are more like a computer program that is in your computer and do all the damage that way. One of the easiest ways for to be infected with these viruses is simply visiting a website that may be infected and then it passes onto the visitor. These are independent viruses that are easily transferable as on average there is about 200-300 of these viruses that are travelling from system to system on the web during a given month.

How to Fight it!

One of the best ways to fight these viruses is by keeping up to date the virus definition (usually called the dat file) on the virus protection program. One good resource is by doing an odd scan of the McAfee Stinger that has the most up to date method of removing high threat viruses. Download [http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ Stinger] as it’s free and just do a scan of it once in a while to get rid of the most damaging viruses that are out there. For those of you that can’t afford to buy a virus shield such as McAfee or Norton a reliable and good free virus scan offered by TrendMicro is available online. You can do an online [http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ HouseCall] scan at TrendMicro for the latest threats and virus removal tools as well.

Sources Used

Haag, Stephen, et al. "Management Information Systems for the Information Age 2nd Canadian Edition". Canada : McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2004. Page 348-349.