What is a virus?

Viruses are computer programs or scripts that attempt to spread from one file to another on a single computer and/or from one computer to another, using a variety of methods, without the knowledge and consent of the computer user.

To be classified as a virus, a program must meet two criteria: (1) It must be able to execute itself by placing its own code in the execution path of another program. (2) The program must also be able to replicate itself by replacing existing computer files with copies of the virus-infected files.

Similar to the way a biological virus requires a host cell, a computer virus requires an infected host file to propagate itself. It may damage programs, delete files, reformat hard disks and perform other forms of destructive acts.

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What is a worm?

Another tool of destruction known as the worm has been creeping into the computer industry. Most of us have heard of the dreaded Blaster worm that attacks Microsoft websites, but what exactly is a worm and how does it differ from a virus? Actually, a worm is a type of virus that attacks the computer in a method differing from the way a typical virus attacks a computer. Unlike the typical virus, the worm does not require a host program to propagate. A worm enters a computer through a weakness in the computer system and propagates itself using network flaws.

The typical virus requires activation through user intervention, such as double clicking or sending outgoing email. However, a worm releases a document containing the worm macro and sends copies of itself to other computers through network flaws, therefore bypassing any need for user intervention.

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What is a Trojan Horse? Isn't this a virus by any other name?

A Trojan Horse meets the definition of virus that most people use, in the sense that it attempts to infiltrate a computer without the user's knowledge or consent. A Trojan Horse, similar to its Greek mythological counterpart, often presents itself as one form while it is actually another. Trojans typically do one of two things: they either destroy or modify data the moment they launch, such as erase a hard drive, or they attempt to ferret out and steal passwords, credit card numbers, and other such confidential information. Trojan Horses can be a bigger problem than other types of viruses as they are design to be destructive or disruptive, as opposed to viruses and worms where the coder may not intend to do any harm at all. Essentially this distinction does not matter in the real world. You can lump viruses, Trojans, and worms together as things I don't want on my computer or my network.

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How do I prevent a Trojan Horse attack?

The methods for dealing with Trojans are generally the same as for those for dealing with viruses. Most virus scanners attempt to deal with some of the common Trojans with varying degrees of success. There are also specific anti-Trojan scanners available, and your best weapon is common sense yet again. Score another point for safe computing!

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Do some websites use cookies to exploit user information?

Unfortunately, yes. Some may deceive users or omit their policies. For example, they may track your Web surfing habits across many different websites without informing you, and then use this data to customize the advertisements you see on websites, etc., typically considered as an invasion of privacy. It is difficult to identify this and other forms of cookie abuse, which makes it difficult to decide if, when, and how to block them from ones system. In addition, the acceptable level of shared information varies between users, so it is difficult to create an anti-cookie program to meet the needs of everyone.

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So, what can you do to protect your computer from virus infection?

There are a number of preventative measures that you can take:

  • You can purchase and continually update virus scan software.
  • Make sure that this software contains the real-time scanning feature which monitors all incoming and outgoing mail.
  • You may also install a firewall which prohibits unauthorized access to your computer.
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Can I get a virus by simply receiving an email?

Yes. Be sure to set your antivirus program to scan your incoming and outgoing emails. To do this in Norton AntiVirus:

  1. Click OPTIONS / EMAIL
  2. Check both scan incoming and outgoing email

Also, close the preview pane to prevent opening your email automatically and activating the virus. To do this in Outlook Express:

  1. Open Outlook Express
  2. Click on VIEW / LAYOUT
  3. Remove check mark from Show preview pane.
  4. Click OKAY.
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How do I update Norton Anti Virus?

The best thing to do is to turn on LiveUpdate to update your virus protection automatically.

  1. Click OPTIONS / LIVEUPDATE
  2. Check Enable automatic LiveUpdate.
  3. Check Apply virus protection updates.
  4. Check Apply updates without interrupting me.
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How do I get rid of a virus when Norton AntiVirus detects a one attached to an email?

How Norton AntiVirus handles viruses attached to emails depends on the option you select.

  1. Click OPTIONS / EMAIL
  2. Under How to respond when a virus is found, select one of the options.
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Is My Computer Infected?

There are warning signs that your computer may be infected with a virus. For minor viruses, you may encounter strange messages, images, noises or music on your computer. An infected computer may have less memory available, or you may notice name changes. A computer infected with a virus may be missing programs, or files may malfunction. If you encounter any of these characteristics on your computer, you are most likely experiencing an attack from a virus.

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What Should I do if I have a Virus?

Know that it's not the end of the world. As a courtesy, contact everyone (by phone, preferably) you have been connected by email to warn them possible exposure to the virus right away.

Clean your computer with anti-virus software. If your computer is still not functioning and you have data you are concerned about recovering, consider hiring a trusted expert. Often data can be successfully extracted from an injured hard drive, but the process is complex and will involve another computer, special software, and a technician with a lot of experience in data recovery.

As a last resort, reformat your hard drive, even if it means destroying all of the information located there. Reinstall the software and data using your backup files.

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