How to Detect a P2P Worm

With the proliferation of peer-to-peer filing sharing networks, has come an increase of peer-to-peer computer worms. Some of these worms are merely nuisances while other can cause irreparable damage to a computer. It is important to be able to detect these worms before they inflict irreversible damage. A few steps can make this easier than one would think.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Determine if the computer has any peer-to-peer sharing software installed on the hard drive. These software platforms are often the means that the worm uses to gain access to the computer.
2. Ascertain if it is the computer Internet connection or the computer itself that is running slower than normal. P2P worms often command computer resources that will slow down a system more than is normal.
3. Update the virus software installed on the computer every week or as needed. Updating the virus software makes sure the latest possible virus definitions are available. However, this is not foolproof because new P2P worms come out every single day and the virus software sometimes has trouble keeping its definitions up-to-date.
4. Scan any files downloaded from unknown parties. This means if files are downloaded using peer-to-peer client software a user cannot know whom or where the file originates. Therefore, use a virus software program to scan any downloaded file before opening it on the computer.
5. Take note of any files that are new to the computer hard drive but that the user did not download on their own. Often these worms disguise themselves by naming the files after popular music groups or software platforms.

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