Can you get a virus or any other threat by visiting a web page? 

Yes, you absolutely can!  In the past, this was something that was thought to be impossible.  Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

THE HOW:  The delivery of a virus (typically called a downloadable Trojan) is an all too common occurrence when a user simply accesses a web page.  The user may be given the option of downloading a file, but NOT always.  In the case that there are no warnings, a program is usually downloaded and executed (computer jargon for running a program), all without the user knowing that anything is going on behind the scenes.

PREVENTION:  The most secure way to help prevent this type of disaster is for a user to have both an Internet Security Firewall and Anti-Virus software program installed.  Yes, you need both (anti-virus and firewall.)  There are several available.  To name a couple, ZoneAlarm and Norton Internet Security Firewall are two of the best and most reliable firewalls to install.  Norton Anti-virus (included with their firewall software) and McAfee Anti-virus are excellent virus prevention and removal programs.  And last but not least, you need  prevention and removal programs for Adware, Spyware, and Malware.  Read more details about these nasty little 'wares below.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE 'WARES?  These type of threats are relatively new to most computer users.  They are usually referred to as Adware, Spyware, and Malware.  Most anti-virus programs refer to them as threats or vulnerabilities.  For now, most anti-virus programs are not designed to remove threats, yet instead focus on the ongoing daunting task of keeping up with new viruses.  Your anti-virus program can remove threats that are not residing in memory and/or do not have special entries in the Registry.  Which, is why most attempts to remove threats outside of viruses are failures.

WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?  Adware, Spyware, Malware, Scumware, Parasites, and Traditional Trojans come in many varieties.  There are key loggers, data miners and aggressive advertising, tracking cookies, browser hijackers, and the list goes on.  When a user surfs the web and visits particular unscrupulous and/or undesirable websites, these nasty threats are actually more likely to be downloaded, than a virus.  And it is an absolute fact that large reputable companies also take advantage of the marketing aspect of these threats.

WHAT DO THEY DO?  Although they are not considered to be as dangerous as a virus (maybe), they cause severe vulnerabilities and violate our privacy to say the least.  These type of executable programs can and will bring your computer to a screeching halt.  They may not destroy your hard drive or carry-out any of the other fears that have been planted in our brains about computer viruses, but they can and do a number of damaging things to our computers.  Plus, they collect personal data, track our movements (surfing habits), and more often than not, they install programs that cause our screens to be showered with either disgusting or just plain annoying pop-up ads.  On the topic of surfing habits, whatever Spyware is working to track your habits, one of the most common purposes for the spying is to silently capture your surfing behavior, create a marketing profile, and that profile is then sold to advertisement companies.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?   If you see new toolbars (typically top of screen) in your Internet Explorer, or if your browser crashes regularly, or if your home page changes without your knowing it, you most probably have some type of Spyware.  And even if you can't see anything, because of the ongoing emergence of Spyware, you are most likely infected.  A few other things to look for are, if you notice that your mouse pointer (hour glass reaction) is churning and will not settle down, most likely some type of unknown program is running in the background.  And of course the most obvious indication is if you have many pop-up ads while surfing the Internet.  Extremely important note: if you receive a window display that warns you about these type of threats, and it is not something that you installed, yep, that's another way for a 'Ware to be activated and downloaded to your computer.

WHAT SHOULD AND CAN YOU DO?  In the current climate of Internet surfing, it is just as critical to have an Adware/Spyware/Malware prevention and removal software program installed as it is to have a firewall and anti-virus program installed.  Follow the download links that are listed above under Virus, Adware, Spyware Prevention & Removal, and make sure that you install one of each type.  As an overview to what type of software is needed, here it is: Adware Prevention, Spyware Prevention, Anti-virus Software, and an Internet Security Firewall.
In reference to the download links above, with the exception of Symantec, we can only provide you links for the home pages of the suggested software vendors (per their request.)  You will need to navigate through the suggested sites and look for their download link.  Follow the instructions to download either freeware and/or a trial version of each.

SOME VIRUSES OR THREATS NEED MANUAL REMOVAL:  It is important to know that some 'Wares and viruses cannot be removed except by manual removal.  This can be quite involved and is different for each case.  We are experts in the manual removal of threats.  If you need any assistance, please contact our Support Team.
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