Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.
A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail programto spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.
Viruses are often spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open e-mail attachments unless you knowwho it's from and you are expecting it.
Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.
Viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hiddenin illicit software or other files or programs you might download.
To help avoid viruses, it's essential that you keep your computercurrent with the latest updates and antivirus tools, stay informed about recent threats, and that you follow a few basic rules when you surf the Internet, download files,and openattachments.
Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not asimportant as removing it and preventing further infection.
Concerned about worms? see what is a computer worm?
A virus is a piece of computer code that attaches itself to a program or file so it can spread from computer to computer. It infects as it travels. Viruses can damage your software, your hardware, and your files. Virus (n.) Code written with the express intention to replicate itself. A virus attaches itself to a host program and then attempts to spread from computer to computer. It might damage hardware, software, or information. Just as human viruses range in severity from Ebola to the 24-hour flu, computer viruses range from the mildly bothersome to the downright destructive. The good news is that a true virus does not spread without human action. Someone must share a file or send an e-mail to move it along.
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