Heather Owings
SLM 521
Fall 2003
Elective #12

Virus Tip Sheet

Viruses are malicious software that spreads from program to program or disc to disc. What makes a computer virus dangerous is that like a biological virus, the software virus needs a healthy host (your computer) to spread. And it spreads by attaching itself to a healthy program in your computer and then when that healthy program (with a virus attached) is executed, the virus has the opportunity to spread to other healthy programs. For more information about what a virus is and how it works, visit "How Computer Viruses Work" at the How Stuff Works web site at: http://www.howstuffworks.com/virus.htm

Infection stage of the virus involves the spreading of the virus to other programs in your computer. Certain viruses infect programs each time they are executed, but other viruses infect only upon a trigger. There is no way to know what the trigger is, and many viruses will hole up in the computer's memory until triggered. When a virus goes "resident" in the memory they may then corrupt the system software to hide their existence. The attack stage, on the other hand, is the stage where the viruses does damage to your computer and this can also have its own trigger. But the attack stage is optional, some viruses are more laid back and never attack. They simple reproduce, which may not damage data but does steal storage space. For more information about virus behavior, check out Wolfgang Stiller's site at: http://www.stiller.com/vintro.htm

Random virus invasion? Not possible. You cannot get a virus from surfing the Net. Viruses happen by (a) executing an infected program, (b) booting from an infected disk, or (c) through MS documents or attachments on email. How to prevent this is to (a) always scan any new software for viruses and avoid programs from unknown sources (like the Internet), (b) never leave floppy discs in the disc drive when you shut down, likewise don't turn your computer on with a floppy disc in the drive (b) do not open email or email attachments from unknown sources, plus make sure your Macro Virus Protection is enabled in all Microsoft applications. For more information on how to do this, click here.

Usually when someone mentions the words "computer virus, " people panic. The ensuing paranoia usually results in your email box being jammed with warnings from concerned friends. Most of these are hoaxes. Two great places to check for computer hoaxes are:
Symantec AntiVirus Research Center http://www.sarc.com (they also offer a free online virus check)
Vmyths http://www.vmyths.com (it has an A-Z listing of virus hoaxes)

Sending a form letter back to overly-paranoid friends often eases their anxiety and puts a stop to the hoax.