main ways virus infects?

[soulfood]

what are the main ways a virus gets into your computer and infects it? thank you

 

[Francis93]

A wild virus infects its target computer through many ways/sources. The most common is infection through removable hardware (flash disks/USB), CDs/DVDs and others because they're being plugged into different PCs. It's like having multiple partners, getting AIDS/HIV from them and infecting each other. To prevent infection, it is advisable to disable AutoPlay (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174838-autoplay-turn-off.html) and install security software (antivirus, firewall).

Another way or method of getting viruses is infection is through the Internet, if your PC is without security software, and if you are without common sense then you are highly susceptible/vulnerable to zero day malware attacks, exploits, rogues, trojans etc. To prevent such attacks, install security software, always keep Windows Update turned on, and add a DNS service (Norton DNS, Comodo DNS) which can block malicious websites known to spread viruses.

Hope this helps

 

[gautam7]

Go through this two topic they explain how can one get infected and how to prevent it

How did I get infected?
So how did I get infected in the first place? - Malwarebytes Forum

 

[bigcitycat]

Java Script and Flash. That is why it's good to be able to selectively block both. That is why I think Firefox with noscript is a great way to protect yourself.

 

[Corazon]

One mistake some people apparently make is using a browser other than Internet Explorer - and then not installing security updates for IE because "well I don't use IE at all."

Big mistake, since IE is so tightly integrated into Windows and many apps out there make use of the IE code (usually for simple HTML displays within their interface or for making connections). This isn't always readily apparent, either - so it's important to keep everything that's on your computer up-to-date whether or not you use it. You may not, but the system may.

 

[rubyrubyroo]

By not understanding how a virus/etc can get on your system (ignorance sounds more rude but is much more appropriate)! So you appear to be much smarter by asking and hopefully reading about viruses, malware, and countermeasures, than most members who just want to know what the best anti-virus software is and which one is 100% effective.

Oh and you'll need to leave any tendency to blindly trust anything on the outside of the monitor! Learn to be aware.

Good Question! (and answers)
Mike

 

[Dinesh]

Java flash objects and usb/cd/pen drives are the main cause of virus infections.

 

[StalkeR]

Java flash objects and usb/cd/pen drives are the main cause of virus infections.

+1 for this.

 

[Corrine]

Volume 11 of the Microsoft SIR (Security Intelligence Report) includes the following information:

Java Exploits
Adobe Flash Exploits

Also related is my blog post, How Windows PCs Get Infected with Malware.

 

[koolkat77]

worst way of getting infected is USB drives - when it prompts for scan, many of us avoid the scan, but its best to SCAN IT before copying/moving anything on to your pc. other is visiting malicious websites (sometimes even safe looking websites can fool you). and its always good to use add ons like WOT for firefox Safe Browsing Tool | WOT (Web of Trust) and https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bhmmomiinigofkjcapegjjndpbikblnp for chrome - i use WOT for both my browser. if you have kaspersky/avg antivirus they have built in ones too . also downloading cracks is one.

 

[pincushion]

If it hasn't been mentioned in all the other comments or links - getting a request that a particular element e.g. Flash or something else is not up to date - always check through the legitimate update channels to see if this is true rather than just blindly clicking on links.

 

[koolkat77]

^ yes yes yes! another point: websites that tell you "your computer has 786 errors - click here to clean them"
don't!

 

[rigz]

There are also called "Scareware" which shows you a lot of errors in your computers and a corrupted registry and malwares..which eventually offers you to purchase there product. Sometimes it damages the system than fixing it ;D tested and proven. LoL

 

[rubyrubyroo]

Thats the best advice in general sense, if something says you need to do something, either on the computer, ON THE PHONE, IN THE MAIL or EMAIL, or where ever. Simply disregard the immediate request, and go to the source using your own method (i.e. go to the vender's website, look up the number for whoever calls asking for info from you and call them directly ask "do i have this issue, truly?", etc. ) never trust a phone number they give you or website link to the vendor from the pop-up.


Mike