Worms can be removed from your system by virus removal programs or manual deletion. However, it’s important to note that manual deletion is not always 100% effective, and some malicious files and folders will remain on your PC after manual removal. Therefore, we recommend using an antivirus scanner as the best defense against worms. We will take a look at the different methods worms use to attack your computer, how to tell if your computer has a worm, where you can go for information regarding specific known worms, and what steps you can take to get rid of the worm.

Methods Of Attack

While all worms follow the same basic principles of self-propagation and active delivery, they can attack your computer through several avenues, including email, instant messaging, Internet browsing, and file-sharing networks.

The most common method of attack is through email. The worm may distribute itself through an email attachment that releases the worm onto the computer when the user opens it. The attachment can either be a file or link to an infected Web site. Email worms work by gathering email addresses from an address book on your computer, attaching themselves to phony emails, and sending themselves to unsuspecting victims.

Instant messaging worms work through different end-user programs including ICQ, AIM, and MSN Messenger. They spread by sending links to infected Web sites to everyone on your contact list, repeating the process until the worm is stopped.

Worms use the Internet to copy themselves into files and then search for vulnerable computers to attack. Once the worm attaches itself or part of itself into the system, it will replicate and continue sending itself to other machines via the Internet.

By using file-sharing networks, worms attach themselves to a folder or file that is commonly shared among systems. The network does the rest by making the file available to different systems for download. Once inside, the worm obeys its operating code by copying and sending itself to more unsuspecting systems.

Identify The Problem

There are several signs to identify a computer that has been infected by a worm. Similar to the way processes run in the background on your computer, the worm, too, may be running in the background, reserving resources that are normally used to run other programs. This may lead to a sluggish performance of some programs. Similarly, a slow connection to the Internet may be a sign of a worm on your computer. If Web sites take longer than usual to load or if downloads move at a crawl, a worm may be to blame. To check your Internet performance and troubleshoot your modem’s performance level, go to www.auditmypc.com/internet-speed-test.asp. Follow the steps to see if your Internet connection is running slower than it should.

Another sign that your computer may have a worm is a Desktop shortcut or icon that you haven’t seen before. Also, if the home page on your Internet browser has changed unexpectedly to an unfamiliar site, new toolbars have accumulated on your browser, or pop-ups begin to take over your Web surfing experience, you probably have a worm. If you are constantly being bombarded by these annoying distractions, it is time to take measures to clear any worms from your system.

Get Rid Of Worms

The easiest way to locate and remove worms from your system is to run an antivirus scanner. Examples of popular and effective antivirus software include Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2008 ($39.99; www.symantec.com), Kapersky Anti-Virus 7.0 ($59.95; www.kaspersky.com), and AVG Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware 8.0 ($34.99; www.avg.com). These programs not only scan for worms and other malware embedded in your computer, but they also provide proactive defense against worm attacks. In addition, these programs can also delete or remove the worm from your system. You can also download free antivirus protection from the Internet (such as AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition; free.grisoft.com), which will scan and locate any worms that are infecting and operating from your system.

There are many Web sites devoted to teaching you how to remove worms from your computer manually. One of the most comprehensive listings of worms and how to get rid of them is found at 2-Spyware.com (www.2-spyware.com/worms-removal). Here, you will find a listing of over 1,300 known worms, as well as information on how each worm spreads and what properties distinguish it from others. 2-Spyware.com also lets users download antivirus patches that seek out and remove specific worms, while also providing the specific information about how to manually remove worms from the system. Another site, SpywareRemove.com (www.spywareremove.com), contains information on over 7,000 worms.

Remain Worm-Free

Worms can be disastrous for your computer, but they don’t need to cause endless headaches. Remember that the best defense against worms is to exercise caution when receiving strange emails or coming across an unfamiliar Web site. A little extra vigilance on the part of the user can go a long way to preventing worms from taking over your computer.

by Chris Dunker