Viruses pose a real threat to your PC, especially if you use the Internet regularly. Knowing what a virus is and how your computer could possibly contract one will help you take the necessary measures to protect your investment. We've answered a few of the most frequently asked questions:
1. What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is man-made computer code that disrupts a computer's functionality by infecting its system and destroying data. It can be transmitted via an infected floppy disk or over a network, such as the Internet, when you receive e-mail or download a malicious software program containing a virus from a website.
Experts have identified about 16,000 viruses, and approximately 1,000 of these are actively "in the wild." However, according to research, about two-thirds of all infections are caused by the same 10 viruses.
2. How does a virus affect the way my computer functions?
A virus disables your PC by reproducing itself either in your computer's memory (RAM) or on the hard drive. A virus can remain on a computer's hard drive even after it has been reformatted. Sometimes, a virus remains hidden and expands invisibly or quietly deposits itself in a document. This is called a stealth virus.
Your computer may have contracted a virus if one or more of the following symptoms appear:
- Upon booting the system, the screen displays an unexpected graphic such as a famous person or a holiday symbol you did not create.
- You receive unusual or inexplicable error messages.
- The computer makes strange beeping or clicking noises or plays music that is inconsistent with the function you are performing.
- The system time and date are altered.
- Files are randomly corrupted.
- You receive "write protect errors" when executing .exe files from a write-protected disk.
- You cannot open certain files.
- Your computer's speed is affected by extended boot times, or a slow-running system, increased disk access times or the system freezes frequently.
If your computer is experiencing any of these problems, try rebooting it. If the problem persists, contact your computer retailer.
3. What can I do to prevent my computer from contracting a virus?
Using an antivirus program is the best way to keep your computer healthy and virus-free. Anytime you try downloading software, either from a CD-ROM or the Internet, the program will automatically scan the software to see if any viruses exist. Two companies make the most popular antivirus programs: Symantec and McAfee. Learn more about programs to protect your PC in Using antivirus software.
When you buy software, do a bit of homework first and use a reputable software dealer. Be careful how you use and trade CD-ROMs and floppy disks with friends and family. Also, be careful when downloading inexpensive "shareware" from the Internet. If you have any questions about purchasing software, contact your local retailer.
Also, be wary of incoming e-mail attachments. If you receive an e-mail that seems out of the ordinary, don’t open the attachment. Run your antivirus software to scan the file first. Many popular web-based e-mail providers such as Yahoo! and MSN® include virus scanning with their services.
Automatic security
Another powerful feature of Windows XP is its ability to initiate automatic updates. It couldn’t be any easier to make your PC secure. Just set up your computer to get critical software patches and antivirus software via Windows Update. Anytime your computer is on and connected to the Internet, it automatically installs the software, virus updates, and patches you need to keep your computer running smoothly.
See the Microsoft website on Protecting your PC for more information. It will show you the simple process for activating Automatic Updates.
4. What can I do to protect my computer if it becomes infected?
If your system becomes infected, several troubleshooting and diagnostic utilities are available to fix the problem. If you don’t already have an antivirus utility on your computer, such as the ones available from Symantec and McAfee, you should install one as soon as possible.
5. Can a virus affect any other equipment attached to a computer?
Even though a virus usually affects only software, it can cause problems with different hardware devices attached to a computer. A virus can cause printing problems, interfere with the keyboard by displaying multiple characters when only one key has been pressed, or cause random and unexpected accessing of other drives.
6. Are viruses the only threat to my computer?
Unfortunately not. Hackers and identity thieves can also compromise the security of your system. Make sure your PC is safe from more than just viruses: Read Protect your PC: firewalls to learn more.
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