What is a
computer virus?
A
computer virus is a computer program that has been written to
be self replicating. Some of viruses are comparatively harmless.
Others corrupt or delete data. They are usually quite small in
size. Viruses typically attach themselves to disk boot sectors,
executable program files, or program macro files.
Viruses
can be transmitted from computer to computer whenever files are
exchanged either via downloads from the the Internet, from other
computers on a network, or via diskettes or compact disks or other
removable media.
Generally speaking you are more at risk when you receive programs
that are in the public domain. Companies that are selling software
products have more to loose if their customers become unhappy
with them because their software has infected their computer(s).
Consequently commercial software is typically more thoroughly
checked for virus infections before distribution than is public
domain software.
Should you
get anti-virus software?
If
you exchange files with other computers whether through the Internet,
with friends, or purchase software from a store (that probably
includes just about all computer users), the answer is yes.
Preventing infection is much easier than trying to track done
and eliminate a virus and then repair any damage that was done.
Most anti-virus software is designed to detect computer viruses
before they have a chance to do any damage or spread.
If
your computer is behaving strangely, it does not necessarily mean
that it has been infected by a computer virus, but it could be.
It is best to check and know for sure. Most anti-virus software
is designed to track and eliminate infections as well as prevent
the infections.
What we recommend!
Two
popular anti-virus software packages are Norton's and Mcafee.
Anti-virus
software for your PC.
Additional
resources
