Worm Netsky is another name for the Win32 computer virus. Worm Netsky can cause harm to systems in several ways. It can cause multiple error reports, clog up networks, slow responses to client requests, and automatic updates. Microsoft Support offers the following complete list of symptoms Worm Netsky can cause:

-Account lockout policies are being tripped.
-Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows
-Defender, and Error Reporting Services are disabled.
-Domain controllers respond slowly to client requests.
-The network is congested.
-Various security-related Web sites cannot be accessed.
-Various security-related tools will not run.

Fortunately, Worm Netsky can be removed with a number of free software removal tools. Microsoft offers a “Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool” free of charge for its Windows operating system. If you are running Windows, it’s best to stick with Microsoft software downloads. The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool updates once a month and it reports if a worm virus or other malicious software is found. This is probably one of the best free worm virus removal tools available.

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software including Blaster Worm, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder. Version 1.30 adds Win32/Allaple to the list of malicious software this tool detects.

You can download the tool directly from the Microsoft website or Cnet.com.

Other worm removal tools include Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Antivirus. These anti-virus packages are not free. It is important to note that while the Microsoft Software Removal Tool helps remove infections, it does not prevent them. If you want added security, it’s best to install Norton or McAfee as well. You can also install a top-rated virus protection program such as BitDefender or Kaspersky.

So what exactly is a computer virus? A computer virus or “worm” is malicious software program. A worm or virus can either slow your system down to a crawl or disable it completely. Unlike a Trojan Horse, which is a malicious software program that cannot reproduce or self-replicate, a computer virus has the ability to multiply at a rapid pace. A worm or virus can spread from computer to computer, travel across networks, copy address books and send itself out to everyone in it. A worm or virus can even freeze or disable entire servers. Some of the most sophisticated worms and viruses can actually tunnel into your computer and give users remote access to your computer.

A Trojan Horse may sound less severe than a worm virus, but it can still cause damage to your computer. A Trojan or “Trojan Horse” will present itself as a helpful program, but once you install it on your computer, it will cripple your system almost immediately. A Trojan Horse may appear in the form of a file or software program that has been sent from a legitimate source. The Trojan Horse will install and a number of things can happen.

Some Trojans will simply rearrange your desktop or add annoying icons to your desktop and others will delete files. Some of the more advanced Trojans can open the door to predators looking to steal your identity. These types of Trojans can give users unlimited access to your system. Trojans do not reproduce or replicate. Worms and viruses, on the other hand, can reproduce, self-replicate and infect other files.