Virus Information
The information below explains provides an overview of computer viruses; what they and how they are distributed. There is also a list of virus symptoms as well as common myths about how viruses are contracted.
Virus Overview
One of the biggest fears among computer users is being infected by a computer virus or program designed to destroy their personal data. Viruses are malicious software programs that have been designed by other computer users to cause destruction and havoc on a computer and spread themselves to other computers where they can repeat the process. Once the virus is made, it is often distributed through shareware, pirated software, e-mail, P2P programs, or other programs where users share data.
Most computer viruses are contracted today through e-mail and by downloading software over the Internet or P2P sharing. Computer users can help protect themselves against computer viruses, malware, and other computer security threats by installing an antivirus protection program
Virus Symptoms
Here are a few indicators that your computer or laptop may be infected with a virus:
Virus Myths
"If I download a file onto a disk, I don't have to worry about a viruses." This is not true, just because you've placed a file on a diskette or moved a file from a diskette to your hard drive does not mean that your computer cannot be infected. Many viruses are memory resident and capable of loading themselves into memory once a diskette is placed in the computer.
"If I buy sealed software I don't have to worry about viruses." or "If I just buy registered software I don't have to worry about viruses." This is not always true, just because the program may be surrounded in plastic doesn't mean that it cannot be infected with a virus. When a software program is saved onto a diskette or disc if that computer or program is infected the virus will attach itself. Although this issue very rarely occurs it is still a possibility.
"If I don't download anything off of the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." This is definitely not true. Although most companies and web sites will scan the files for viruses before they make them available to download some may not. In addition many people create a site or a file to download with the intention of spreading a virus, spyware, Trojan horses, or other malware.
"If I just read my e-mail, I will not have to worry about viruses." This is not true; there are viruses out there that are distributed through e-mail; also, files can be attached with e-mail and if executed can infect the computer. Today this is one of the most common ways computer viruses spread around the world.
"If I don't get on the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." This, unfortunately, is not the case. Although many viruses are spread over the Internet today it is still possible to contract a computer virus form any diskette or disc you put in the computer.
"You can contract viruses from just looking at web pages." Not true. However, you can contract a virus if you download and execute a file from that web page. In addition spyware and other scripts can be executed from just viewing a web page. Although these programs are not designed to delete files on your computer they should be considered a privacy violation.
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