Computer Viruses Hail from Internet Cafés
Information and Communication State Minister of Kenya, Alintuma Nsambu said that most of the viruses come from Internet cafes, as reported by THE News Vision on May 28, 2008.
He claimed this at the launch of Kaspersky’s anti virus software at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Kampala, Ugenda.
Mr. Alintuma also added that the computers in the Internet cafes do not have antivirus software, as reported by THE News Vision on May 28, 2008.
He also thinks that most of the viruses that target government offices come from outside. He also s ggested owners of cafes to download antivirus software.
The security experts and researchers have explained that a computer virus is a small piece of a software that piggybanks on authentic programs. For instance, a mail virus comes as an attachment to mail messages replicating by mailing itself to several users in the victim’s mail address book.
Mr. Alintuma said in the conference that when the user access his memory stick in one of the systems in café and takes it to another system in his office, the office system, maybe, is already infected.
He also added that there are several ways to embed virus in the system of a user. One of the common and simple methods is to hack social networking sites. Further, he also exhorts banks to protect their ATM (Automated Teller Machines) from viruses.
He claimed that they are not spared, and consequently some changes are necessary, as the system cannot operate properly, as reported by THE News vision.
Security experts have suggested that users should keep their computer and laptop updated. That implies using anti virus, firewall and anti-spyware software.
Also, the vulnerability of cafes becomes more effective with the cautioning of FBI about wireless internet networks (Wi-Fi hotspots) are more prone to attacks of viruses and Trojans than most users might know.