Virus distribution channels
Each virus somehow gets into the system. For this purpose they use the so-called viruses distribution channels – various technical resources and other means used by different malicious software to get into your computer.
Some time ago viruses have been mostly spread via floppy disks or files, but today the first "honoured" place among malware distribution channels belongs to email and the Internet.
The main viruses distribution channels are the following:
- The Internet;
- File-sharing networks;
- Operating system drivers;
- Files of different office documents;
- Email (in this case viruses are successfully masking as various pictures, photos, music. The letters may not have any harmful contents, but on clicking the link you can easily get to the site that was specially created for distribution viruses);
- Various portable media (CDs, flash-cards);
- Files of running programs.
It's not surprising that the Internet takes the first place on the list. Only an idle computer user is unfamiliar with the World Wide Web and uses it neither for work, nor for entertainment. Thus, the main virus software distribution channels are located right in the sphere of Internet entertainment. So where should one be careful?
1. Entertainment blogs. Attract the main number of the Internet audience, since very often they touch on the topics, which many people are interested in.
2. Social networks.
3. Internet communities.
4. Top-blogs.
5. Chats and other instant messaging programs.
The system of sending various links supposedly to videos, photos, interesting news etc. is much spread. But in fact, the user immediately gets a virus by clicking on this link.
6. Photo and video hosting.
7. Various forums.
8. Offline. The virus can easily turn to offline mode if it's become quite successful. Here we are talking about natural malware distribution when it goes outside the Internet. Moreover, the virus can leave the network by its spreading via news blocks or newspaper pages.
In order to protect your computer from viruses, you should block all these distribution channels. You can do it by using various antivirus software and other means of protection, including special administrative sanctions.