Carrie Derr
December 3, 2003
SLM 521
Viruses infect computers just as they infect people. As with people, computers become disabled when infected with a virus. Programs are unresponsive and valuable information is lost. It is important to understand how viruses work and how to prevent them. If a computer is already infected, the virus must be removed to restore optimal performance of the PC. Below is some information on viruses as well as some tips to avoid virus infection and a little tid-bit on virus hoaxes.
Viruses infect computers and damage software, often with horrific results. Information may be lost or damaged beyond repair. A virus works by spreading from computer to computer through using a program that’s been infected or booting from disks that are infected. One large way to spread the infected programs is through email. Often emails are sent to a multitude of people containing files infected by a virus. The person receiving the email then downloads the file into their computer, providing the virus with a host. The virus replicates a code in the new host and is then sent to another host computer when the program is mailed and subsequently downloaded. Some viruses infect a program immediately and others require a trigger before they become active. This has yet to be clearly understood. The virus attack may not occur immediately after the computer is infected. Sometimes it may take years for a virus to become active. Some viruses simply create animation on the computer, or various messages. Some slow the PC down and others do destructive things such as wiping out entire programs or files. Some current email viruses include Ws2/Swen@MM and W32/Dumaru.a@MM. Both of these are labeled worms, which create more copies of themselves but do not infect computers as viruses do. They clog the systems as they continually copy themselves and consequently spread to other computers.
Virus hoaxes are another danger for a different reason. Many people receive emails with urgent messages warning against a virus. These messages have become so prevalent that most people disregard them now. The problem with that is sometimes the warning is a legitimate one. The only way to be sure is to check the warning that is received with a list of virus hoaxes at the McAfee Anti-virus site (http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=hoaxes ). If the message received matches one on the list, it is indeed a hoax and should be deleted. If it is not on the list, update the anti-virus software and contact McAfee to explain the situation.
Tips to Prevent Virus Contamination:
1. If an email is received with an attached file from someone you do not know, DO NOT open it! Quickly delete it.
2. Even if an email is received from an acquaintance, DO NOT download the attached file if the subject line appears questionable.
3. As viruses will replicate themselves and contaminate new computers through email, DO NOT open a file unless you know what it is.
4. DO NOT forward any chain or junk emails. Simply delete them.
5. Keep the anti-virus software updated and current.
6. Back up your files on a regular basis.
For more information, visit the McAfee website at: http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=tips
When a virus hoax warning is received, a person may wish to respond to the sender to make them aware of it. This letter could be just a simple courtesy to inform the sender that the warning is a hoax and to not continue sending it. For example:
To Whom it May Concern:
I am writing this letter to simply inform you that the virus warning you have sent to me is actually a hoax. It was checked against the virus hoax list at McAfee and was not found on the list. These hoaxes are a little dangerous because people have received so many in the past and will disregard any future warnings, even if some are legitimate. Therefore, it would be great if you would discontinue the forward of this email warning to any other recipients. Thank you so much for your cooperation!