What is a Virus
is an unwanted Program or application
Make copies of itself
Payloads
Carry out a particular action
Annoying
Destructive
How infection occurs
Infected floppies and CD's
Email and Internet
Launch file and the virus code runs
Copy itself and Make changes
Infected removable flash device
Trojan Horses
Seemingly legitimate programme
With hidden function (harmful)
May be a programme that causes a virus infection
Backdoor Trojans allow other users to take control of a PC across the Internet
Worms
Similar to viruses
Make copies of themselves
Use email to spread
Spread throughout networks
Kakworm, Sircam, Badtrans
Effects of Viruses
1. Display messages, Pranks
2. Deny access to files
3. Data theft (email information)
4. Corrupt Data (change spreadsheets), Delete data
5. Disable hardware (Chernobyl)
Virus Risks
Internet: downloaded programs or documents
Programs, Email with attachments
Documents and Spreadsheets
Floppy disks and CDs
Preventing viruses
Make users aware of the risks
Install anti-virus software and Update software regularly
Keep backups of all data
Use of Anti virus Software
Detects viruses
Prevent access to infected files
Eliminate infection
Scanners (must be updated)
On demand
On access stay active on machine
Heuristics (uses general rules to detect viruses)
FamousViruses
Love Bug
Email: I love you: kindly check attached love letter coming from me
Worm that sends itself to others in your address book
Steals information and overwrites files
Recent Viruses in Education
Kakworm: Includes itself in all outgoing emails
Magistr (sends files) deletes windows files
Sircam (hi I need your advice) Cant open programs
Badtrans Single click needed
Side effects of viruses
Prevent computers from working
Cost money to sort out, Time consuming
Confidentiality at risk, Damage...