Computer Virus | URCS - Computer Solutions and Repair

What Is The Difference Between Malware and Viruses? | Corona, CA

Posted on November 17, 2016December 5, 2016 by admin

It’s very important to know the difference between malware and viruses. A virus is just one kind of malware, but the actual term is largely used by the public. The term “malware” refers to any type of malicious software that’s designed to infect your computer or mobile device, including a computer virus.

What is Malware?

Malware is a software that’s designed to specifically hard and infect host systems. This includes viruses along with other kinds of malicious software such as Trojans, worms, spyware and adware. Ransomware is also another type of malware that’s used to commit financial fraud and extort money from those that use computers.

Common Malware:

Virus- This is a contagious program that attaches itself to another piece of software, and then progresses to reproduce itself when the software is running. Viruses are often spread by sharing files or software between computers.
Adware- Adware is the least dangerous and most profitable malware. It displays ads on your computer.
Spyware- This is a software that spies on you by tracking your internet activity in order to send adware back to your machine.
Worms- This is a program that replicates itself and destroys data and files on your computer. Worms are designed to “eat” the system operating files and data till the drive is completely empty.
Trojan Horse- This is one of the most dangerous Malwares. Torjans are designed to discover your financial information and take over your computers system resources.
Ransomware- If you see a screen that warns you that you have been locked out of your computer until you pay for your “cybercrimes”, you have ransomware. Even if you do pay to unlock your system, you are not free from of it locking you out again. The request for money is usually in the thousands.

In order for you to protect your devices from the malware mentioned above, you must use an effective anti-virus. If you suspect that your computer is infected with malware, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 today. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or to put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Tips to Avoid Viruses this Halloween | Corona

Posted on October 11, 2016 by admin

Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays, and cybercriminals want to be a part of the fun. As Halloween approaches, many hackers take advantage of popular Hollywood titles to spread computer viruses. For example, Google and other search engine results with keywords that are related to popular topics that are used to trick users into clicking on the malicious link.

Another popular form of spreading computer viruses is through spam. Hackers used typically Halloween characters to trick users and lead to where they want. This way, in addition to getting your personal information, hackers will redirect you to other websites selling prohibited products. We must educate ourselves and must be aware that hackers will try to deceive us with practical jokes. However, these practical jokes introduce malware to our equipment which will lead to a huge headache. The following includes a few tips on how you can avoid viruses this Halloween.

Don’t open emails or messages that are received from social networks that come from an unknown source.
Never click links that you get by email, unless you know it’s a reliable source.
If you do click a link in an email, it’s important to look at the landing page. If you do not recognize it, close the browser.
Never download attachments from unknown sources. During this holiday we must pay extra attention to files that come with Halloween related names.
If you don’t see anything out of the ordinary on a page but it’s requesting a download, do not accept.
Never buy from online stores that don’t have a solid reputation. To be sure that your purchases are safe and secure, look for a security certificate, they’re typically located in the lower right corner.
Don’t use shared computers to preform transitions that require you to enter a password or personal data.
Be sure that you have an Anit-virus installed and updated.

If you think your computer many have a virus, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 today. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or to put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Is Your Computer Protected? | Corona, CA

Posted on September 6, 2016October 5, 2016 by admin

Several people spend a good amount of time on their computers by going online for certain tasks or entertainment. Some of the things society use their computers for are searching for information, work, shopping, school work, social media, even banking. Doing such things may leave your computer vulnerable to hackers. Hackers are typically after personal information stored in your computer. Thankfully, keeping your computer protected from viruses and Trojans can be quiet easy, however, you must be on top of your computer’s security. The following includes a few tips on how you can reduce your risk of your computer contracting a virus or Trojan:

Use Anti-Virus Software. Installing an anti-virus program is a great benefit for your computer’s protection. An ant-virus program scans for viruses that attempt to get into your emails, operating system or files. Be sure the anti-virus is set to update automatically.

Install a Firewall. Firewalls are able help alert any suspicious activity on your computer, while also blocking viruses, hackers or worms from attempting to download malicious programs onto your computer. Some computers have a built-in firewall, however, they’re typically shipped in “off” mode, so be sure to turn the firewall on. Also, be sure to update your firewall on a regular basis.

Use a Pop-up Blocker- Avoid clicking on any pop-up ads by using a pop-up blocker. Many pop-ups are created by advertisers, but some may contain a harmful or unsafe programs that can damage your computer.

Do Not Open Unknown Emails- Emails can contain computer viruses so before opening an email, make sure you’re receiving it from a known address or sender.

Use a Strong Password- Be sure that you choose a strong password to protect yourself from potential hackers. Don’t choose something simple for your password; many hackers have a program that can try every single word in the dictionary in attempts to get into your system.

5 Most Notorious Computer Viruses in History

Posted on April 27, 2016 by admin

Many people all over the globe have gotten computer viruses in some fashion or form. For most, the computer is virus is simply a mild inconvenience, which typically just requires a cleanup and the installation of an antivirus software, that you may have been meaning to get around to but never did. However, in other cases, a computer viruses can be a complete and utter disaster, resulting you a various amounts of damage.

While many computer viruses can be easily taken care of, others have gotten out of control, causing millions, even billions of dollars in damage. Not only are government’s and big companies at risk for these sort of attacks, you can be as well. Your computer could possibly get hacked by a computer virus too, giving hackers access to all of your personal information, wiping your hard drive, corrupting your data, and may even use your computer to spread the virus to the contacts you have stored in there.

The following is list of the five most notorious computer viruses in history, the effects they had on their victims

MyDoom

MyDoom is a worm that was launched in 2004, where it originally spread through KaZaA, a file sharing app, but then eventually spread to emails. In both cases, the user had be open the actual file in order to become infected. When the unsuspecting victim open the file or email, the malicious code downloaded itself and would steal their Outlook address book. From there, the worm spread by sending itself to the contact in the address book and coped of itself to any P2P programs to grow itself though that network.

This virus infected between 600,000 and 700,000 PCs, and cost $38 billion in damage. MyDoom also slowed the internet access worldwide by 10%, and reduced access to some websites by as much as 50%.

ILOVEYOU

The ILOVEYOU virus was launched from the Philippines in 2000, and was allegedly written by Onel de Guzman. Aside from the virus’s innocent name, ILOVEYOU is consider one of the most destructive computer viruses. The virus was an innocent looking email attachment labeled “I Love You”, and when opened it released a malicious program. This program would overwrite the users’ flies with copies of itself to allow it to spread even when the original program was removed, and would erase a number of different files.

Roughly one tenth of computers in 2000 were infected with ILOVEYOU, reaching 45 million people in just one day. McAfee even reported that a majority of their fortune 100 clients were infected with the virus. ILOVEYOU caused $5.5 billion in damaged the first week, and cause $15 billion worth of damages all together.

Code Red

Code Red was launched in July 2001, and a second virus, Code Red II, was launched later in the year. This worm infected Windows NT and Windows 2000 by exploiting a buffer overload vulnerability. This allowed the virus to deface and even take down some websites, one being the whitehouse.gov website and forced other government agencies to take done their public websites temporarily too. The worm spread by randomly selecting 100 IP addresses at a time and then would launch a denial service on them, which allows backdoor access to the server, allowing for a hacker to have remote access to the machine.

Code Red infected more than 359,000 computer systems in less than one day, and infected 1 and 2 million computers were infected overall. This virus caused over $2 million in losses.

Melissa

This particular virus, Melissa, was created in 1999 by David L. Smith, and he claimed to have named the virus after an erotic dancer in Florida. This virus started as an infected Word Document that was posted on the alt.sex.unset group, claiming to be a list of passwords that several “adult” content websites. This for whatever reason, got people curious and when downloaded and opened, the macro was triggered inside and unleased its fury. Melissa would mail itself to the top 50 people in the users email address book, causing email traffic, while also disrupting the services of governments and large corporations. Also, if the day of the month matched the minute the virus would insert a Bart Simpson quote into the document that it sent.

Hundreds of websites were affected by this virus, and the Microsoft Corporation even had to disable all incoming and outgoing email. This virus infected an estimate of at least 100,000 computers, and cause $1.2 billion in damages and losses worldwide.

Slammer

The Slammer virus, also referred to as Sapphire, was launched in 2003. This internet worm caused a denial of service on some internet hosts and severely slowed down general internet traffic. As Slammer began to spread throughout the Internet, it doubled in size every 8.5 seconds! Like other viruses, it selected IP address at random to try to infect, eventually finding all susceptible hosts.

A number of banks were affected by the virus, one being Bank of American, crashing their ATMs. Additional victims that were affected were, a 911 emergency line in Washington State, Continental Airlines and multiple government websites. This internet worm caused 1.2 billion in damages and affected 200,000 PCs.

Be sure you’re protecting yourself and your machine from these notorious computer viruses and internet worms by installing an antivirus software and firewall. If you you’re experiencing problems with your computer suspect it may be a virus, contact Up and Running Commuter Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-7378558 or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding our services.

Up and Running Computer Solutions Inc. proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

5 Common Myths About Computer Viruses and Antivirus Software

Posted on April 25, 2016April 25, 2016 by admin

Nearly every office job requires the use of a computer, and while most people know how to operate one, they become lost when it comes to viruses and antivirus software.

However, this may be because there are several myths, misconceptions, and downright lies about virus and antivirus software that have thrown people off for years.

We here at Up and Running Computer Solutions have compiled a list of the most common myths and misconceptions about virus and antivirus software:

Myth #1: Error messages mean you have a virus.

People typically assume their computer has a virus when error messages begin to pop-up on their computer screen. That’s not always the case though, error messages can be caused by other computer problems such as a faulty hard drive, bugs in the software or even problems with your antivirus software. The same applies when your computer crashes, it’s likely caused by something other than a virus.

If you are getting error messages don’t go from A to Z, try checking for any updates and cleaning your hard drive up to see if it helps. You can also scan your computer just to be sure that your computer isn’t infected with a virus.

Myth #2: Computers can infect themselves with a virus.

As silly as that sounds, many believe this myth. It’s not uncommon for clients to bring in their computers claiming that a virus magically appeared on their system all on its own. However, viruses don’t magically appear on computers, users must physically open an infected program, or visit a website that hosts an actual virus and download it.

The best way to decrease the chances of your computer becoming infected with a virus is to avoid websites that contain illegal or “adult’ content. Although other websites can be just as capable of hosting a viruses as well, so be cautious when sketchy sites offer free downloads.

Myth #3: Every antivirus software is the same.

While many people know how to operate computers, they are often confused when it comes to the antivirus software. They want to protect their computer, but only download free antivirus software or keep the one that comes preinstalled on their new computer. Most of the free antivirus software only protect against known threats though.

The free antivirus software doesn’t always protect against scan social media walls, phishing attacks or offer any mobile protection, and if your computer does get a virus, it may be very difficult to remove. There are even paid program that vary in their protection capabilities, so be sure to do your research and install an antivirus that best suits how you use your computer.

Myth #4: All computer viruses are the same.

This completely untrue. There are some viruses or malware that allow hackers to steal information. Some spread advertisements or spam, while others are much more atrocious, destroying your entire operating system, leaving it useless.

There are new virus that released all of the time, and they are all different. The best thing you can do is to be aware, follow the best security practices, and use an effective antivirus software to protect yourself and your computer.

Myth #5: Firewalls protect against computer viruses.

Wrong again, a fire wall is not an antivirus software. Firewalls manage traffic traveling over a network, but they do not protect again viruses, malware or Trojans. A firewall is a part of a smart security plan, and you should have one, especially if you use public networks. However, as mentioned, it will not protect your machine from getting infected.

Whether you need a virus removed or worried about your network security, Up and Running Computers Solutions is the place to call. Give us a call at 951-737-8558 and our experienced team will be happy to help get your machine back up and running. Or visit www.urce.net for information regarding our services.

Up and Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

How to Tell if Your Computer Has a Virus

Posted on March 15, 2016March 31, 2016 by admin

There are several ways that your computer can become infected with a virus. It can happen while you’re browsing the internet, downloading an email attachment, accessing a different computer through a network, or when you’re plugging in a flash drive that was previously plugged into an infected device.

And while it’s easy for a computer to become infected with a virus, it’s not as easy to identify the virus symptoms. Especially when you take into consideration that the best or worst viruses (depending on how you look at it), will infect your computer without being detected.

For your convenience we have put together a list of the most common most common virus symptoms:

Your computer is suddenly running slower than usual.
Your computers frequently freezing or stops responding.
Your computer is restarting and crashing constantly.
Your computer isn’t running normally and starts on its own.
Your applications aren’t working correctly, especially your web browser.
You aren’t able to access your hard drive or additional disk drives.
You are seeing unusual error messages.
Your antivirus software is turned off and not by you.
You are seeing pop-ups and dialog boxes everywhere.
Your hard drive and modem are working extra.
Your computer starts preforming actions on its own.
You aren’t able to print correctly.

If you believe that your computer has been infected with a virus, or if you’ve noticed one or more of the above symptoms on your computer, disconnect it from the internet or your local network right away. You can do so by unplugging your network cable or turning off the wireless connection. By preforming the actions above, you can stop your computer from spreading the virus to your family, friends and co-workers.

If you need a virus removed from your computer or would like to have an antivirus downloaded and installed into your computer, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 today. Or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding our technical services.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Three Common Computer Problems

Posted on March 12, 2016March 31, 2016 by admin

We here at Up & Running Computer Solutions resolve several technical support calls and emails ranging from simple to advanced computer problems. Computer problems can be such a headache and can even leave you feeling like your about to toss your computer out. The following list are three common computer problems

Malicious Software

This sort of problem includes viruses, adware, spyware, worms, trojan horses and any other type of software that is designed to cause mischief with you or your computer.

You can get malware anytime you’re browsing the internet, downloading an email attachment, accessing a different computer through a network, or when you’re plugging in a flash drive that was previously plugged into an infected computer.

Slow Computer

Computers are essentially like a new home or car; if you don’t take proper care of them, you’re going to have problems. In order to keep your computer running smoothly, it’s very important to make good use of your computer resources.

Every computer has a limited amount of storage space, ram memory and processing speed. So the more programs, documents, music, videos, pictures and tool bars you have, the slower your computer will run. Computer can also become slower is the have been infected with a virus.

Hard Drive Failure

If you’ve been hearing your computer make loud noises it’s never made before, be scared because those noises could be coming from your hard drive. The hard drive is where everything is stored, and hearing a clicking noise when you access data is one of the first signs of hard drive failure.

Hard drives can stop working for a myriad of reasons, but they typically crash due to mechanical failure, a violet shake, electrical surge, or even viruses.

If you’re having any computer problems and looking for technical support, don’t wait till the last minute to ask for help. Be sure to contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 for professional assistance today.

Up & Running Computer Solutions serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Safer Internet Day: 5 Tips to Stay Safe on the Internet

Posted on February 10, 2016February 10, 2016 by admin

In our digitally connected world, what can you do to keep yourself and your family safe online? Well today is Safer Internet Day and we here at Up and Running computer Solution would like to help educate and inspire you to better protect yourself and your family online. This years the slogan for Safe Internet Day is “Play your part for a better internet”, so we’ve round up a few tips on how you can play your part in creating a better internet:

Update your applications regularly- By keeping the applications and other critical software on your computer updated it enables your system with the latest security fixes, while also protecting it from viruses and other malicious software.
Be cautious where you click- I’m sure you’ve seen an interesting topic or video that’s captured you’re attention while browsing a webpage, making you instantly curious to know more about it. Well with one click, this tricky little link could direct you to malicious site where you could share your personal and financial information. Some cyber hackers even hack into emails and send malicious emails to the contacts of the hacked account. Make sure to never open on an attachment from an unknown or “fishy email”.
Don’t use the same password- A cybercriminal can figure out a pattern if you’re using the same or a slightly different password for different types of accounts. Most websites suggest that you use a password with a punctuation mark, an upper case letter, a lower case letter, and a number because it makes it much hard for a cybercriminal to hack.
Protect your personal info- You should be extremely cautious who you give your personal information to. Don’t give out your social security number or any other sensitive information unless you’re positive who’s receiving it.
Keep your children safe online- Start by educating your children about the internet and mold rules around each child’s age. You must also make sure to monitor and pay attention to what your children are doing online.

The tips that have been listed above may seem like common sense, but many times they are over looked, leaving your doors wide open for cybercriminals. Keep yourself and your family safe by exercising caution when browsing the World Wide Web.

Make sure to have a productive Safer Internet Day, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 to get your computer protected today. Visit our website at www.urcs.net for information regarding the services we offer.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

National Clean Out Your Computer Day

Posted on February 9, 2016 by admin

Is your computer running a bit slower than usual? Have you been putting off cleaning out your files stored on your desktop? Well, since its National Clean Out Your Computer Day today, you should take some time out from busy day and dedicate it to your computer. Imagine what you would do if your computer unexpectedly crashed, permanently deleting all you had stored in it. Before your computer has time to take an unexpected turn for the worse, do yourself a favor and start by cleaning it out today. The following list includes a list of the best practices to keep your computer up and running:

Clean Your PC- Cleaning your PC’s exterior will not only get rid of food particles, dust and hair that have settled in your key board, fan, mouse and the rest of its components; it will also allow your computers performance. So start by turning the power off. Clean your key board with compressed air and a safe cleaning solution. Wipe down your mouse. Then proceed to use the compressed air to clean your actual computer.
Clean Out Your PC-Cleaning your computers software is just as important as cleaning it’s hardware. Start by deleting junk, duplicate files and programs that you no longer use. Next reorganize your files, folders and desktop. Also make sure to check your PC for adware, viruses and other malicious software that’s slowing your system down.

If you aren’t sure how to clean your computer or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, make sure to pass your PC on over to a professional for additional help. Once your computer is cleaned inside out, enjoy its seamless, quick and quiet performance. Also, make sure to clean it more often to keep it up and running.

If you are having problems removing a virus or a malicious software, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 for help or visit our website at www.urcs.net for additional information regarding our services.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

How did my Computer get infected with a Virus? | Computer Repair Corona, CA

Posted on August 17, 2015September 28, 2015 by admin

Has your computer been running a bit slower? Have you been getting annoying pop –ups more frequently? If you’ve answered yes, your computer may have been infected with virus. I’m sure you’re now wondering where or how your computer would have gotten this virus. There are actually many ways a computer can get infected with a virus.

Agreeing to Prompts– One of the most common ways a computer can get infected with a virus is agreeing to a prompt without understanding or reading the “fine print”. For instance, you get a pop-up while browsing the internet that says your antivirus is out of date and without fully understanding what you’re downloading you accept the prompt.
Opening Email Attachments- Another way computers can become infected with a virus is by opening an unknown email attachment that contains a malicious code. Always be cautious when opening any emails, even if they are from friends, family or even co-workers.
No Antivirus- If your computer runs Microsoft Windows it’s highly recommended that you protect your computer by having spyware or antivirus.
Not Running Latest Updates- Many updates are meant for security purposes, especially ones associated with Microsoft Windows. It’s very important or you to keep your operating system and programs up to date.
Pirating Music, Software or Movies- If you are one of the individuals who participating in the illegal exchange of copyrighted movies, music or software, you may at risk. Sometimes theses sort of files contain spyware, malicious software or viruses.

There are many ways for your computer to get infected with a virus, and it can happen to anyone. If your computer is infected with a virus and need it removed, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for more information about out services.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.