Computer viruses: A guide to protecting your digital world
As South African organisations and consumers embrace digital transformation, understanding cyber threats has become crucial for everyone. This is according to Doros Hadjizenonos, Regional Director at leading cybersecurity specialists Fortinet, who says computer viruses remain one of the most common yet misunderstood threats to our digital safety.
“As shown in our latest FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report, cybercriminals are exploiting new industry vulnerabilities 43% faster than in the first half of 2023,” says Hadjizenonos. “This makes it essential for both businesses and individuals to learn how to identify and protect themselves against computer viruses.”
What exactly is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to spread between computers and cause damage to data and software. “Think of a computer virus like a biological virus – it needs a host to survive and can spread rapidly between systems”, explains Hadjizenonos. “These viruses typically attach to executable host files, activating when the file is opened, and then spreading through networks, drives, file-sharing programs, or infected email attachments.”
Learning to spot the warning signs
Hadjizenonos says educating users about virus symptoms is crucial for early detection and prevention. He outlines seven key warning signs that everyone should know:
Unusual system slowdown: “If your computer suddenly starts performing simple tasks much slower than usual, it could be fighting a virus infection.”
Unexpected pop-ups: “When pop-up windows appear even when you’re not browsing the internet, this is often a red flag.”
Self-starting programs: “Programs that launch automatically, especially unfamiliar ones, warrant immediate investigation.”
Account disruptions: “If you’re repeatedly logged out of your accounts without initiating it, this could indicate malicious activity.”
Frequent crashes: “Regular system crashes or the dreaded ‘blue screen of death’ might signal virus interference.”
Unauthorised emails: “Finding sent emails you didn’t write in your outbox is a classic sign of email-spreading viruses.”
Homepage changes: “Any unexpected changes to your browser’s homepage should be treated with suspicion.”
Understanding how viruses spread
“The way viruses spread has evolved significantly,” says Hadjizenonos. “While early viruses relied on physical media like floppy disks, today’s threats are more sophisticated, spreading through seemingly legitimate sources.”
Modern viruses can infiltrate systems through:
Infected email attachments
Compromised software downloads
Fake application stores
Malicious code in legitimate-looking programs
Protecting yourself: A practical guide
Hadjizenonos offers essential advice for both businesses and individuals to protect against virus infections:
“Think of antivirus protection as your digital immune system,” he explains. “Just as you wouldn’t expose yourself to health risks without protection, you shouldn’t expose your digital devices either.”
Key protective measures include:
Installing and regularly updating trusted antivirus software
Being cautious of unexpected pop-up advertisements
Developing a habit of scanning email attachments before opening
Verifying the source of downloaded files
Keeping all software and operating systems updated
Regular backing up of important data
“For South African organisations, the impact of a virus infection can be devastating to both operations and reputation,” warns Hadjizenonos. “But through education and proper security measures, these risks can be significantly reduced,”
To help South Africans better protect themselves against cyber threats, Fortinet offers free cybersecurity training through their website. “Education is your first line of defence,” concludes Hadjizenonos. “Understanding these threats and how to protect against them isn’t just good practice – it’s essential in today’s digital world.”