© ccox888
March 15 marks the 40th birthday of the world's first computer virus. The first virus was created in 1971 and given the name Creeper. The Creeper was not a very dangerous virus, as it's most noticeable side effect was a display message that read "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" However, this innocuous virus was the beginning of a digital war that we are living today, where software companies work furiously to plug the holes in their OS while virus creators are equally diligent in finding new ways to exploit them.
But this war is about more than simple exploitation, because it is also a numbers game. Viruses have grown exponentially from around 1300 in 1990 to over 200 million on the web today. The nature of these viruses has also been changing over time, as the earlier ones were mostly an annoyance, while modern viruses are being designed to enable criminal activity like identity theft or creating a botnet.
© Ed Yourdon
Often you will come across a range of free antivirus software programs that are available online. Be careful when you are choosing these kinds of software as some of them will allow a large number of viruses to enter your computer. However, there are a few good free software programs available.
One example of this includes AVG, who are providing their program for free. Individuals can check the quality of the free antivirus software online. You can do this by researching reviews and comments made by experts in the industry but also individuals who are or have been using the program. This can help you understand whether it is a suitable program for you. As it is for free, you can always test it yourself.
© William Hook
Many individuals are now using their mobile phones or smart phones to access the internet no matter where they are. Although there are many benefits of this, it can be very dangerous to be surfing the internet on your phone. In recent news, there have been many cases where individuals have been hacked or have been sent a large number of viruses on their iPhone.
This is a common problem and can be solved by using an antivirus software. This can guard you from any unwanted spam emails and viruses. These softwares or apps can be found online. Be sure to make your official purchase at reliable stores or online stores that can ensure that you get the right kind of protection.
