| Many people are afraid of tinkering with their | | | | add the virus' code to the program. The virus would |
| computers because of the fear that they might | | | | usually run before the actual legitimate program runs. In |
| inadvertently introduce a computer virus into the | | | | fact, the virus would usually perform the infection first |
| computer system. Computer viruses have become | | | | before it commands the legitimate program to run. This |
| the technological bogeyman that scares computer | | | | process is so fast that no one would even notice that |
| users all over the world. We have all heard of how | | | | a virus was executed. With two programs now |
| dangerous computer viruses are and how it can | | | | infected (the original program and the first infected |
| damage your data. Of course, aided by the bloated | | | | program), the same process would be repeated |
| images Hollywood movies paint with regards to | | | | whenever either program is launched worsening the |
| computer viruses, a big majority now have this insane | | | | level of infection. After the infection phase, or even |
| (but mostly unfounded) fears about it. It is true that | | | | within the middle of the process of infection, the virus |
| computer viruses are dangerous. Anyone who has | | | | would usually start its attack on the system. The level |
| lost vital information in their computers because of a | | | | of attack can range from silly actions like flashing |
| computer virus will know how big a damage it can | | | | messages on the screen to actually erasing sensitive |
| cause. But computer viruses are not these insidiously | | | | data. Fortunately, there are steps that you can do in |
| little pieces of code that could wreak havoc on the | | | | order to protect your computer from viruses. Among |
| world. If you know what to do when you get a virus in | | | | the steps that you can take are: * The simplest way |
| your computer then you can definitely limit, if not totally | | | | to avoid a virus is to install a legitimate and effective |
| stop, the damage it can cause. But what is a computer | | | | antivirus program in your computer. The antivirus |
| virus? Well, it is a software with a small imprint that | | | | program is designed to look out for any kind of activity |
| would usually attach itself on to a legitimate program | | | | that could be seen as similar to a virus attack or |
| or software. Every time this program is executed the | | | | infestation and it automatically stops it. * You can opt |
| virus is also executed and it tries to reproduce itself by | | | | to use a more secure operating system in your |
| attaching to other programs or it immediately starts | | | | computer. For example, Unix is a secure operating |
| affecting the computer. A computer virus and email | | | | system because the security features built into it |
| virus basically have the same modus operandi, the | | | | prevents a virus from actually doing what it is |
| difference though is that an email virus would attach | | | | programmed to do. * Enable Macro Virus Protection in |
| itself to an email message or automatically send itself | | | | all of the Microsoft applications resident in your |
| using the addresses in the address book in order to | | | | computer. Additionally, you should avoid running macros |
| infect the people who receive the email. A computer | | | | in a document unless you have a good idea of what |
| virus is usually embedded in a larger program, often a | | | | these macros are going to do. * Avoid using programs |
| legitimate piece of software. The virus will be run | | | | that you have downloaded on the internet especially |
| when the legitimate software is executed. The | | | | when they come from dubious sources. * Never open |
| computer virus would load itself into the memory of | | | | an email attachment that contains an executable file - |
| the computer and then it will seek out any programs | | | | these are files with the EXE, COM and VBS |
| where it can likely attach itself. When a likely program | | | | extensions. |
| is found then the virus would modify the file in order to | | | | |