A computer virus is a program that is designed to damage or disrupt the normal functions of your computer and its files. Like biological viruses, computer viruses attach themselves to a host, usually a program file, data file, or a file in your computer's operating system. From here, it replicates itself, spreading the infection to other files.
Viruses can find their way onto your computer in many different ways. Viruses can be transmitted by email, in downloads from the internet, through network connections, by floppy disks or by CDs, particular those that have been burnt on a computer infected by viruses.
Computer viruses can cause very serious damage to your computer's program and data files, as well as affect your computers hardware, such as your hard drive. What a particular virus will do to your computer depends on how it was programmed when created.
The basic types of viruses are -
Worm viruses are self-contained programs that remain hidden and propagate via email or duplication. They modify existing software so that when run, the legitimate program spawns copies of the virus, which is then forwarded on in email or other files.
Boot viruses attack the boot sectors on your hard drive and interfere with your computer's basic operation, making your operating system run strangely or even corrupt it all together.
Macro viruses tend to attack data files, like word documents and spreadsheets, causing you to lose files or cause your word or excel software to work incorrectly.
Trojan viruses pretend to be other software, the name therefore taken from the Trojan Horse in Greek mythology. Trojan viruses pretend to be a legitimate piece of software, but in reality can attack your hard drives, deleting files and re-writing system files. They cause your computer to become unstable, particularly when operating system files are deleted.
As a general rule, computer viruses only attack files in your computer. They do not attack your computer's hardware, like the monitor, mouse or keyboard. However, some viruses will attack the files that operate your computer's hardware, causing hard drives to re-format, video drivers to be deleted or your operating system to stop running. While this may cause your monitor to stop working properly, it doesn't mean you need to get a new monitor.
Email is probably the most common method for spreading viruses. Plain text email messages don't normally spread viruses. Most email viruses are spread via attachments to email messages, or in email messages containing embedded executable code. For a virus contained in an email message to attack your computer, it will normally require your computer to execute some code. For example, your computer would need to open an attachment or open an html link embedded in the message. To protect yourself against email viruses it is important that you do not open attachments from senders whom you don't know, or which come from a free email source such as hotmail or yahoo. If you use an email client to check your email, avoid clients that automatically open attachments (like Outlook Express).
While CSU takes every precaution to protect against viruses, it is impossible to stop viruses altogether. CSU does maintain up to date anti virus definitions and performs regular scanning of email servers and internet traffic to minimise the University's exposure to viruses. Even with these precautions, students and staff are encouraged to obtain and regularly use an anti-virus program for their home computers.
When buying Anti-virus software, look for a package which suits your operating system. For example, if you run Windows XP, look for a package that is recommended for Windows XP. Make sure that any software you buy includes an update function, where you can download virus definition updates to protect your computer from future types of viruses.
The best way to minimise your chances of getting a virus infection is to be proactive and follow some basic steps which are outlined below.
From time to time, you may receive "Virus Warning" emails. These emails, sent on by well meaning people, while seeming to alert you to a real virus threat, more often than not are merely hoaxes. Virus hoaxes are typically alerts that are passed on by naive users who think they are being helpful. The reality is that most of these warnings are designed to cause fear or simply confuse people. In some cases such messages contain instructions that, if followed, can result in damage to your computer. If you receive a message warning you about viruses, it is recommended that: