How does a person get a worm on their computer?

[Shannon]

We've recently run into problems by somehow getting a worm on the computer. My father believes that it had to have been received via email but I was thinking that it could be obtainable via pictures or other downloads. So how exactly does one acquire this worm?

[Sly_Old_Mole]

There are many ways to get a worm, here are some:

1. from a USB stick.
2. from email (the worm sends the email).
3. from unsafe downloads (say using a P2P program)
4. from facebook.

[Sarcasticlamp623]

Any of the things you mentioned could have infected your computer with a worm - dowloads of any kind, opening attachments on emails, visiting sites with a lot of malware on them, etc.

My suggestion is to always have a good antivirus program installed, updated, and running. I personally recommend AntiVir. You can get a free download (for the personal edition) here :

http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html

And, if you already have a worm you can try running Stinger to get rid of it :

http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Good luck : )

[Murzy]

yes, it could come from an email or a download but also visiting some websites and chatrooms can download a worm/trojan virus or other malware to your computer.

keep your virus protection and spyware protection up to date and scan often.

[Fearlesssnake621]

Well you can get a worm from any file that goes into your computer, this including: any CD/DVD/USB Drive/ External HDD, E-mails, downloads, even just internet surfing. To make sure you're fully protected you need an antivirus program, an anti-spyware and a firewall. Companies that make antivirus programs now create security suites, which include all the software you need to be safe all the time. You can go to this website to see some free ones

[Variable]

The baddies are constantly coming up with new ways to get stuff onto your computer, so there's no single right answer.
It could be through opening an email attachment.
Visiting a malicious website or one that has been hacked to serve out malicious software. Links to these sites are often included in scare rumour messages that flash around FaceBook and Twitter such as "OMG FB is going to start charging $5 a month. Join this petition". Sometimes getting hit is just bad luck - visiting a website that's recently been hacked and getting a 'Drive By' infection.
Putting an infected USB memory stick in.
Direct attack over the network.
The way to avoid most problems is to keep your system updated and to have effective anti-virus operating. Don't use Internet Explorer. Don't click on links in emails, or open email attachments you aren't expecting.