Computer Viruses For Dummies

By Peter H. Gregory and Peter H. Gregory

Book Overview

Computer viruses--just the thought of your trusty PC catching one is probably enough to make you sick. Thanks to the cyber-sickies who persist in coming up with new strains, there's a major new cyberattack nearly every day. Viruses sneak in, usually through e-mail. Fortunately, there are ways to inoculate and protect your computer. Computer Viruses For Dummies helps you: Understand the risks and analyze your PC's current condition Select, install, and configure antivirus software Scan your computer and e-mail Rid your computer of viruses it's already caught Update antivirus software and install security patches Use firewalls and spyware blockers Protect handheld PDAs from viruses Adopt safe computing practices, especially with e-mail and when you're surfing the Net Written by Peter H. Gregory, coauthor of CISSP For Dummies and Security + For Dummies , Computer Viruses For Dummies goes beyond viruses to explain other nasty computer infections like Trojan horses, HiJackers, worms, phishing scams, spyware, and hoaxes. It also profiles major antivirus software to help you choose the best program(s) for your needs. Remember, if you don't protect your computer, not only do you risk having your computer infiltrated and your data contaminated, you risk unknowingly transmitting a virus, worm, or other foul computer germ to everybody in your address book This guide will help you properly immunize your PC with antivirus software now and install updates and security patches that are like booster shots to keep your software protected against new viruses.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764574183
• ISBN13: 9780764574184
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Brief overview of threats to your computer and how you can defend your self.

This book isn't about writing viruses. The book is about how you can help defend against the threats of the internet. This is a very introductory book for the non-technical reader. Overall it gives a good organized summary of what you can do to protect yourself all of which are subjects that this book gives a very brief overview of.

Viruses and More

The one thing about viruses that I've always wanted to know: why do people want to write and propagate virus programs. Surprisingly he does make some comments about virus writers, not to specifically identify them, but to give some history and general comments. I don't know that this was a help, but it's at least interesting. Beyond viruses, this book also goes into other forms of nasty programs like Trojan Horses, HiJackers (that replace your home page with theirs), worms, Phishing Scams, and Spyware. I'd have liked to have seen just a little more about some of these, such as an evaluation of the anti- software that is available. Like all the For Dummies books, this is a good introductory book, not the final word. But if you have a computer connected to the web, you'd best be paying at least some attention to Viruses, and this is a good start.