Online criminals can use a virus to take control of large numbers of computers at a time, and turn them into
"zombies" that can work together as a powerful "botnet" to perform malicious tasks.
Botnets, which can include as many as 100,000 individual "zombie" computers,
can distribute spam e-mail, spread viruses, attack other computers and servers,
and commit other kinds of crime and fraud.
Botnets are highly valued by online criminals, and have become a serious problem on the Internet.
How to tell if your computer has been infected
A virus that makes your computer into a zombie might cause your computer to slow down,
display mysterious messages, or work in an unexpected manner.
These viruses usually do not disable your computer, because zombie computers must be plugged in
and connected to the Internet in order for the botnet to work.
A few other ways you may notice that you have been infected:
After you open and run an infected program or attachment on your computer,
you might not realize that you've introduced a virus until you notice something isn't quite right.
Here are a few primary indicators that your computer might be infected:
• Your computer runs more slowly than normal
• Your computer stops responding or locks up often
• Your computer crashes and restarts every few minutes
• Your computer restarts on its own and then fails to run normally
• Applications on your computer don't work correctly
• Disks or disk drives are inaccessible
• You can't print correctly
• You see unusual error messages
• You see distorted menus and dialog boxes
These are common signs of infection, but they might also indicate hardware or software problems
that have nothing to do with a virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
and install industry-standard, up to date antivirus software on your computer, there is no way to be
certain if your computer is infected with a virus or not. If you don't have current antivirus software installed
or if you're interested in installing a different brand, you can try Windows Live OneCare free for 90 days
or visit our Security software downloads page for software from other companies.
Tip: Beware of messages warning you that you sent e-mail that contained a virus.
This can indicate that the virus has listed your e-mail address as the sender of tainted e-mail.
This does not necessarily mean you have a virus.
Some viruses have the ability to forge e-mail addresses.
You can get a free virus scan with the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner.
If you want continuous protection, you should use antivirus software such as
Windows Live OneCare, which is free for 90 days, McAfee Antivirus, Comodo Antivirus, etc.
What to do if your computer is infected, run your Antivirus Program!!!
Also if your computer shows symptoms of virus infection, first make sure that the software on your computer is up to date.
Then run a Malicious Software Removal Tool. The Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running
for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps remove any infection found.
5 ways to help keep your computer from becoming a zombie:
1. Never open an attachment in an e-mail, instant , or mobile message unless you know exactly what the attachment is,
even if it's from someone that you know. Attachments can contain e-mail viruses.
2. Use an Internet firewall.
Note: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) has a firewall already built-in and active.
3. Stay up to date. Visit Microsoft Update and turn on Automatic Updates.
4. Subscribe to industry standard antivirus software and antispyware software, and keep them current.
Microsoft offers Windows Live OneCare, which is free for 90 days and Windows Defender.
Windows Defender comes with Windows Vista. If you use Windows XP SP2,
you can download Windows Defender for no charge.
5. Use licensed software products. Botnets are often comprised mostly of computers that run illegally copied versions
of operating system and productivity software. Unlicensed software can be more susceptible to viruses,
and can even come with viruses already installed without your knowledge.
