Protect your system while downloading &
Peer to Peer sharing

Shield yourself from viruses & worms

When you're downloading or Peer to Peer sharing, the most well known of all the possible dangers you could be exposed to are the many viruses and worms out there.

Viruses & Worms

A computer virus is a piece of malicious code that is hidden within another program. Once activated, it will usually begin to replicate itself and distribute the copies throughout the computer’s file system.

They can also be designed to carry out any number of harmful tasks such as deleting or altering files, damaging your data and interfering with the operating system, but mostly they just spread themselves around, which in itself is usually enough to wreak havoc.

A computer worm is pretty much the same thing except that it exists as a separate entity and doesn’t need to be contained within another program. It also has the added ability to automatically spread throughout a network and infect other systems.

You may also have come across the term ‘Trojan’ in relation to computing. This is a program that appears to be something perfectly harmless, like a screen saver or image file, but actually contains malicious code. The nature of which is usually to open back doors in your security allowing a hacker to access your passwords and other personal information.

Symptoms of a computer virus/worm include:

• Programs suddenly start running for no reason
• Your CD/DVD-ROM tray opens and closes on its own
• Unusual messages or images suddenly appear on your desktop
• Unexpected music or sounds play at random
• Your system keeps locking up or reporting errors
• The operating system fails to load
• Files and folders start to change or go missing
• Your Peer to Peer sharing software starts up on its own
• Programs keep crashing or displaying the ‘Not responding’
  message
• The computer is very slow or you experience frequent delays
• Internet downloading speeds are much slower than usual
• Error messages appear when starting or using Windows
• Your hard drive is constantly being accessed (Light on front of
  computer flashes rapidly)
• ’Internet Explorer’ browser windows freeze or refuse to close
• Your friends receive messages from you (either through email
  or instant messaging) which you know you didn’t send
• Your email inbox fills with messages that have no ‘from’ address
  or header

Anti-virus software

It is simply insane to run your Peer to Peer sharing software without anti-virus protection installed. They run quietly in the background and prevent any known viruses from being downloaded to your system and executing their program. You can also use them to scan your hard drives and registry to delete any dormant viruses that may have got though.

For the best anti-virus solution on the market, choose the ZoneAlarm Internet security suite.

Finally, on to adware & spyware.

Become an expert downloader with the step-by-step tutorials and more in
'The Essential Guide to Downloading'

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