| If you've never been the victim of a computer | | | | their computers to boot up forever and then |
| virus, you may think that all of the uproar | | | | when they finally do start, they plod along |
| over these nasty little programs is making | | | | at a snail's pace. |
| much ado out of nothing. You may even be | | | | |
| thinking that computer security experts and | | | | To make things worse, quite a few of these |
| anti-virus companies are using scare tactics | | | | computer users who leave their computers |
| to sell anti-virus software. After all, the | | | | unprotected are actually taking classes for |
| bigger the problem, the more software people | | | | computer related careers. They are completely |
| buy. Today, the anti-virus business is worth | | | | at sea when they have to try to repair the |
| several billion dollars and it shows no sign | | | | damage caused by a virus filled computer. |
| of slowing down. | | | | Perhaps a basic class on computer care and |
| | | | repair is in order! |
| So, with all of this money at risk, you are | | | | |
| certainly justified in wondering whether | | | | You are probably wondering how viruses |
| computer viruses really are as big a problem | | | | develop anyway. Hackers are the people |
| as the industry says they are. | | | | creating these nasty bugs, right? Actually, |
| | | | while some hackers may decide to create |
| Unfortunately, the answer is that they | | | | computer viruses, most of them spend all of |
| absolutely are. If you get a virus, you could | | | | their waking hours attempting to break in to |
| actually lose your money, your identity and | | | | the most secure and top secret systems they |
| your computer's hard drive. With new viruses | | | | can find. People who write viruses are people |
| being developed constantly, the problem | | | | with an ax to grind. They want to send a wake |
| continues to grow. While many viruses are | | | | up message or show people that they are |
| more annoying than destructive, even a | | | | superior to them. Today, many people are |
| "harmless" virus can use up valuable | | | | concerned that computer viruses could be used |
| resources. The worst viruses can spread | | | | as a terrorist weapon. |
| worldwide in a few days and wreak | | | | |
| unbelievable havoc. The damage from one | | | | If you do get a computer virus, will you lose |
| infamous virus can mean billions of dollars | | | | everything on your hard drive? It actually is |
| in lost business opportunities and damaged | | | | rare for this type of virus to spread very |
| equipment. | | | | fast or far. Annoying viruses that stop you |
| | | | from starting your computer or using windows |
| With all of this bad news, is there any good | | | | or those that mail spoof emails to your |
| news for computer users? Take this quick risk | | | | entire email address book are much more |
| quiz: | | | | common. The hard drive is usually recoverable |
| | | | when the computer has one of these viruses. |
| 1. Does your computer have antivirus software | | | | |
| installed on it? | | | | What about your financial and personal |
| | | | information? Are viruses really likely to |
| If you can say yes, you are much less a risk | | | | swipe them from the computer. Absolutely. |
| than people that don't have antivirus | | | | This is a common reason that viruses are |
| software. If you say no, than it is only a | | | | created and spread. |
| matter of time until you find out about | | | | |
| viruses personally. | | | | Is there any way to keep your computer virus |
| | | | free? While no anti-virus software is |
| 2. Does your computer have a firewall | | | | foolproof, installing one of these programs |
| installed on it? | | | | can provide some protection. While there are |
| | | | anti-virus software programs that provide |
| If your response is yes again, you can relax | | | | better protection, any of them will help |
| a bit. You're doing all you can do software | | | | somewhat. Even free anti-virus programs are |
| wise to keep your computer safe from a deadly | | | | actually able to ward off at least some |
| virus. If you say no again, you are leaving | | | | viruses. |
| your computer wide open for an attack. | | | | |
| | | | After reading this information on viruses and |
| Despite all of the media attention paid to | | | | anti-virus software, you have probably |
| antivirus software, people still have the "It | | | | resolved to get protection for your computer |
| can't happen to me." mentality. They laugh | | | | right away. If so, you won't be sorry. |
| off warnings to protect their computers and | | | | Dealing with viruses after you are infected |
| say that they are working just fine. They | | | | is frustrating and time consuming. It is so |
| think that because they never actually | | | | much easier to keep a disaster from happening |
| initiate a file download or send and receive | | | | instead of trying to reconstruct a ton of |
| files with friends, they are safe. A few | | | | missing data and worry about identity or |
| months go by and suddenly they can't get | | | | financial thefts after the fact. |