Computer myths are so common and well known that it can be hard to differentiate between what can actually give your computer a virus and what can not. A virus is a program that infects a computer and can copy itself to harm other computers as well, mainly causing havoc by deleting important files. Many don’t realize that viruses have to be installed by the user, that is why virus come hidden in browser plugins, as programs, etc.
So how do we know the difference?
It’s important to realize what can come out of security with your computer, and it’s important to fully embrace it as well. Below are virus myths that have panicked many computer uses before before realizing they are just myths and not true.
- Firewalls – Firewalls do not protect your computer from a virus, spyware or trojan. They will only protect you from a worm, which travels over networks. A well-thought out virus can easily disable the firewall. However, you should still keep enabled at all times, especially when you’re on unsecured networks.
- Viruses can cause physical damage to your hardware – Your computer’s hardware itself will remain unaffected. The most damage a virus can do is cause you to take the computer to a professional who can wipe the BIOS manually or replace it completely.
- Only windows can receive malware – Although almost all viruses are targeted for Windows, this is false. Trojans are known to target Macs, and as Macs continue to become more and more popular, it will increase. Trojans exploit human error rather than a security hole so all platforms are susceptible to them.
- Error pop-ups – Any one of your computers working components can get corrupted in several ways without a virus. At times, the antivirus itself can be cause the overload of error pop-ups.
- Reinstalling – Reinstalling your windows will not restore everything back to it’s pre-virus state. If your computer has a virus, it will remain there. Copying files from a back up drive can cause your computer to be re-infected with the virus. Always be sure to scan your documents and data to be sure they are virus free.
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