![\"pexels-luis-gomes-546819\"](\"https:\/\/www.worldline.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-luis-gomes-546819-1024x680.jpg\")
A computer virus is made of a lines of code which only become active when the infected program is run.<\/p><\/div>\n
Once a virus finds itself in a computer (or a cell) and gets activated, it springs to \u201clife\u201d and starts following the instructions written inside it. It begins attaching itself to other computer code (or cells) and modifying that code (or cells) to create the perfect environment in which to replicate itself. That\u2019s when everything hits the fan.<\/p>\n
How Do Viruses get in?<\/strong><\/h2>\nWe all know by now how the current Coronavirus travels around (wash your hands, people! And don\u2019t cough or sneeze on anyone. Although, frankly, those are just good rules to follow all the time.)<\/p>\n
Like a human virus, computer viruses also travel around. They can arrive through email and text attachments (94% of malware is delivered by email<\/a>),\u00a0files you download from the Internet (1 in 13 web requests lead to malware), and questionable app downloads (apps in the lifestyle (15%) & entertainment (7%) categories are the most commonly seen source of malicious apps<\/a>).<\/p>\n![\"antivirus](\"https:\/\/www.worldline.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/antivirus-software-blog-post.png\")
Viruses can get onto your device through emails, downloads, and questionable apps. Your device can also be infected by other infected devices sharing the same network.<\/p><\/div>\n
Once on your computer, a virus will lie dormant until you run the program the virus infected. This means there may be no signs or symptoms of a virus for days to weeks after your computer becomes infected. Once activated, the virus can infect other devices on your network at home or work.<\/p>\n
How much can a computer virus cost me?<\/h2>\n
On average, a virus on your device will cost you $5600<\/a>\u00a0in terms of lost time<\/strong> (figuring out what\u2019s wrong with your device and taking it to be fixed or shopping to replace it), money<\/strong> (to have viruses removed, replace devices, and actual money taken from your accounts if your passwords have been exposed) and, productivity<\/strong> (from the loss of corrupted files and documents which will need to be recreated).<\/p>\nIf you run a business, the cost can be much higher. Businesses spend billions of dollars every year dealing with viruses – whether that’s cleaning up after them or trying to prevent them.<\/p>\n
How does antivirus software work?<\/strong><\/h2>\nProgrammers who study computer viruses, identify common pieces of code that exist in all families of a particular virus. From that, they\u2019re able to create generic pieces of innocuous code which they load into the antivirus software. The software works by scanning your device and searching for any code that looks like the generic code. When the software finds a match, it shuts down the viral code.<\/p>\n
![\"antivirus](\"https:\/\/www.worldline.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/antivirus-software-blog-scanning.png\")
Antivirus software works by scanning for harmful pieces of code and deactivating them.<\/p><\/div>\n
(And in case the analogy wasn\u2019t clear: this is exactly what vaccines do. Vaccines are harmless pieces of a virus, paired with antivirus \u201ctechnology\u201d which your body uses to match and shut down (or at least minimize the effects of) the actual virus.)<\/p>\n
Do I really need antivirus software?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe only digital device I use is a single computer that never leaves the house, doesn\u2019t access the internet, doesn\u2019t run any programs, and isn\u2019t connected to any other devices. Basically I use my computer as a giant calculator.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If this is\u00a0you, you can probably get away with not having antivirus software.<\/p>\n
I have a Mac.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While traditionally this statement has given Mac users a pass on having to invest in antivirus software, even Craig Federighi, Apple\u2019s Senior VP of Software Engineering, recently stated that, \u201cToday, we have a level of malware on the Mac that we don\u2019t find acceptable.\u201d Noted.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t really care if my computer gets a virus. None of my files or photos are valuable to me. I\u2019m happy to ditch it all and get a new device if necessary.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In this (unlikely but theoretically possible) case, we\u2019d just like to say: consider others. You<\/em> may not care about your music and memories, but chances are, other people in your family, workplace, and contact book do. They won\u2019t be too happy when they discover it was your<\/em> unprotected device that sent them an email with the subject line, \u201cHey, check out this really cool video I found that I think you\u2019ll love\u201d which they then opened in a moment of distraction (47% of employees cited distraction<\/a> as the reason for falling for a phishing scam while working from home).<\/p>\nOk, I\u2019m convinced. What do I do now?<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt wouldn\u2019t be a proper tech challenge if we didn\u2019t put some of the responsibility on you. Now\u2019s the time for you to do a little investigation work and figure out what kind of antivirus software you need. PCMag\u00a0provides an excellent breakdown of the best antivirus software on the market this year<\/a>, along with the pros and cons of each one, and how much they cost. For the sake of your devices, your friends\u2019 devices, your coworkers\u2019 devices, your bank account, and your peace of mind, we beg you, take this month\u2019s challenge seriously! And when you’re done, get revved up for next month’s challenge<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We know, you\u2019ve had it up to here with talk of viruses. At the risk of agitating you further, we\u2019re going to use the current global climate as a metaphor for computer viruses and an argument for why you should … Continue reading
Viruses can get onto your device through emails, downloads, and questionable apps. Your device can also be infected by other infected devices sharing the same network.<\/p><\/div>\n
Once on your computer, a virus will lie dormant until you run the program the virus infected. This means there may be no signs or symptoms of a virus for days to weeks after your computer becomes infected. Once activated, the virus can infect other devices on your network at home or work.<\/p>\n
How much can a computer virus cost me?<\/h2>\n
On average, a virus on your device will cost you $5600<\/a>\u00a0in terms of lost time<\/strong> (figuring out what\u2019s wrong with your device and taking it to be fixed or shopping to replace it), money<\/strong> (to have viruses removed, replace devices, and actual money taken from your accounts if your passwords have been exposed) and, productivity<\/strong> (from the loss of corrupted files and documents which will need to be recreated).<\/p>\n If you run a business, the cost can be much higher. Businesses spend billions of dollars every year dealing with viruses – whether that’s cleaning up after them or trying to prevent them.<\/p>\n Programmers who study computer viruses, identify common pieces of code that exist in all families of a particular virus. From that, they\u2019re able to create generic pieces of innocuous code which they load into the antivirus software. The software works by scanning your device and searching for any code that looks like the generic code. When the software finds a match, it shuts down the viral code.<\/p>\n Antivirus software works by scanning for harmful pieces of code and deactivating them.<\/p><\/div>\n (And in case the analogy wasn\u2019t clear: this is exactly what vaccines do. Vaccines are harmless pieces of a virus, paired with antivirus \u201ctechnology\u201d which your body uses to match and shut down (or at least minimize the effects of) the actual virus.)<\/p>\n The only digital device I use is a single computer that never leaves the house, doesn\u2019t access the internet, doesn\u2019t run any programs, and isn\u2019t connected to any other devices. Basically I use my computer as a giant calculator.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If this is\u00a0you, you can probably get away with not having antivirus software.<\/p>\n I have a Mac.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n While traditionally this statement has given Mac users a pass on having to invest in antivirus software, even Craig Federighi, Apple\u2019s Senior VP of Software Engineering, recently stated that, \u201cToday, we have a level of malware on the Mac that we don\u2019t find acceptable.\u201d Noted.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t really care if my computer gets a virus. None of my files or photos are valuable to me. I\u2019m happy to ditch it all and get a new device if necessary.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In this (unlikely but theoretically possible) case, we\u2019d just like to say: consider others. You<\/em> may not care about your music and memories, but chances are, other people in your family, workplace, and contact book do. They won\u2019t be too happy when they discover it was your<\/em> unprotected device that sent them an email with the subject line, \u201cHey, check out this really cool video I found that I think you\u2019ll love\u201d which they then opened in a moment of distraction (47% of employees cited distraction<\/a> as the reason for falling for a phishing scam while working from home).<\/p>\n It wouldn\u2019t be a proper tech challenge if we didn\u2019t put some of the responsibility on you. Now\u2019s the time for you to do a little investigation work and figure out what kind of antivirus software you need. PCMag\u00a0provides an excellent breakdown of the best antivirus software on the market this year<\/a>, along with the pros and cons of each one, and how much they cost. For the sake of your devices, your friends\u2019 devices, your coworkers\u2019 devices, your bank account, and your peace of mind, we beg you, take this month\u2019s challenge seriously! And when you’re done, get revved up for next month’s challenge<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We know, you\u2019ve had it up to here with talk of viruses. At the risk of agitating you further, we\u2019re going to use the current global climate as a metaphor for computer viruses and an argument for why you should … Continue reading How does antivirus software work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Do I really need antivirus software?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ok, I\u2019m convinced. What do I do now?<\/strong><\/h2>\n