Computer Viruses

 

Computer viruses are just like human viruses; one computer program can become infected and continue to pass the virus along to other programs and computers.  Below is some information on viruses.

 

 

What do viruses do?

 

Viruses are potentially destructive software that spread from program to program or disk to disk.  Computer viruses need a host to infect; this host is a program on your computer.  If the infected program is transferred to your computer, other programs on your computer will become infected.  Each time you boot your computer or execute a program, the virus may be spreading an infection.  Programs become disabled and information can be lost forever. 

One common way viruses spread is through e-mail.  If a person is not aware that there is a virus going around, he could accidentally download the file containing the virus into his computer, which serves as a host for the virus.  The virus replicates its code in the new host and is sent to another host computer when a file is e-mailed and downloaded; the process then starts all over again. 

 

How to protect your computer from viruses:

 

Always scan any new software for viruses.

Avoid programs from unknown sources.

Do not open e-mail from unknown sources.

Never leave a floppy disk in the hard drive when you shut down the computer.

Make sure you have virus protection software running on your computer. 

 

E-mail Virus Hoaxes:

 

Virus hoaxes can be dangerous.  Although most virus hoaxes are annoying they can also be destructive.  Because there are so many virus hoaxes, some users may routinely ignore all virus warning messages, leaving their computers vulnerable to actual viruses.  Next time you receive a virus warning message, check

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=hoaxes to see if the virus is real or just hoax.

 

SAMPLE LETTER

 

When you have received a known virus hoax, you may want to respond to the sender; below is a sample letter:

 

SUBJECT: VIRUS – JUST A HOAX!

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Thank you for your recent e-mail warning me of a virus; however, the virus you referred to is actually just a hoax.  I checked the virus against the McAffee website, http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=hoaxes and found that it is just one of the many virus hoaxes. 

Please discontinue sending the warning messages.  In the future, you might want to check the site above to be sure that the virus is actually a legitimate virus and not a hoax.

 

Thank you.