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Windows Registry Under Attack, How to Fix it?

Cyber attacks and virus assaults are on the rise in 2009. From government systems to the home PC, no system seems truly safe anymore. According to the experts at McAfee, “Cyber assaults have become more sophisticated in their nature, designed to specifically slip under the radar of government cyber defenses. Attacks have progressed from initial curiosity probes to well-funded and well-organized operations for political, military, economic and technical espionage.”

Computer hackers and virus vandals deliberately assault either specific, high-value targets (such as various government and military systems) or try to do the most damage to as many computers as possible around the world. Since the widest-used operating system by far is some version of Microsoft Windows, most viruses by far are designed to attack Windows systems. Specifically, the intended victim is often the Windows Registry.

The registry is a prime target for several reasons. First, it controls literally everything from the color of the desktop to the location and association of files. Second it is incredibly large, with many seemingly innocuous pockets where potential dangerous code can hide.

Finally, it is an integral part of the Windows Operating system that cannot be insulated from attack without loss of functionality. It’s the job of outside hardware and software solutions such as firewalls to block potential attacks.

The registry can be attacked from a variety of fronts. One of the latest uses Adobe Acrobat Reader, one of the most popular software considered essential by most computer users. Another threat, the Downadup worm attacked more than 3.5 million computers before a security patch was released by Microsoft.

Various programs install themselves when you surf the Internet, altering registry keys in order to track and transmit Internet usage data to an outside system. Multiple keys can be affected and the program can replicate itself, saving copies all over your hard drive under a variety of innocent-sounding names that are difficult to track and eliminate.

Removing parts of the registry in order to counteract a virus is dangerous at best, since even the smallest change if done incorrectly can being the entire system to a halt. The process is as tedious as it is dangerous for an individual to attempt, since there may be thousands of key entries to examine for viral corruption.

Several software companies have been working on the problem and have come up with various software solutions, each having its own strengths and capabilities. Sometimes the search for the right software to meet your needs can be as complicated as researching the viruses themselves.

Website that reviews and compares registry cleaning software is Answer Registry Reviews,  The site offers relevant articles on the Windows Registry and compares various registry cleaning software products.

The website even offers links to directly download and purchase products such as RegCure, Registry Mechanic and Registry Easy (among others) online. If your Windows system is running slowly or you suspect a virus, Answer Registry Reviews should be the first stop for information on what might be causing the problem and to download a product that would meet your needs to correct it.