Virus

"A computer is a machine, it is not alive. How can it get sick?" A lot of people don't understand just what a computer virus is. It isn't literally an illness, but a harmful program that makes copies of itself like a virus. Virses can corrupt or overwrite important data and programs on a computer. For an in depth look at computer viruses, Here is an informative Wikipedia article.

In the past, most viruses spread on floppy disks. Now, they have the ability to spread like wildfire over the Internet. Just having a virus scanner installed is not enough. You need to download updates for your virus scanner as they are released. You also need to run your virus scanner routinely. I recommend updating and running anti-virus software at least once per week. Hackers, mischievous kids, and criminals who use computers are always designing new threats.

Probably the most common way viruses, worms and other destructive programs are spread is through e-mail with attached files. Something from a stranger with an attached file is a red flag. Do not open the attached file without scanning it first, if at all. Even an apparent letter from a friend can be infected. It may have been sent by a virus that takes names from an infected machine's address book, and makes them appear to be the sender. The text of these letters often says nothing more than to open the attached file, or may promise something like a funny joke. You might want to contact your friend and ask him or her if they really sent the letter in question. If they did not send it, do not open any attached files. Also, ask your friends to let you know in advance that they will be sending legitimate attached files such as baby pictures or links to articles at a website, and do the same for them. These careful steps can help you avoid most viruses.

If you have gotten a virus and can't get it to go away, don't panic. I can help. Often, the only solution is to re-format your hard drive and re-install Windows, but I can back up your data first so important things like documents and family photos are not lost.

Matthew Brown
The Computer Wizard

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