What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a software program that has been intentionally created
to cause a user grief, spread to other computers, or destroy data on an
individual's computer. To help prevent a computer from becoming infected
by a virus, software developers have developed anti-virus programs that
stay active on the computer helping to protect it. It is important to realize
that many computers do not come pre-loaded with these already installed
and that if computers do come with these programs, the programs may expire
within 90 days.
How are Virus files getting to my computer?
Just like catching the common cold virus in humans, computer virus files
are spread from contact with other computers through e-mail and sometimes
from web sites. If another computer is infected with a virus and the user
of that computer has you listed in their address book the virus or worm
program sends itself to you in a bogus e-mail as an attachment. Less often
a web site will place virus files that are embedded in images on the web
site and you can unwittingly download a virus or worm without even knowing
it.
Why am I getting e-mails telling me I am sending viruses?
A virus or worm that is infected on your computer can cause this issue,
and/or another computer infected with a virus or worm is using (spoofing)
your e-mail address as the e-mail address of who is sending the virus or
worm. When a network or user receives an e-mail infected with the virus
that is capable of detecting the virus, it will automatically reply to
your e-mail address. Below are some examples of automatic replies.
Automatic reply examples:
This message is simply to warn you that your computer system may have
a virus present and should be checked.
Report: >>> Virus 'W32/Sobig-F' found in file details.pif
Shortcuts to MS-DOS programs are very dangerous in email (details.pif)
In the above example, the automatic reply is for the Sobig virus and
may have also listed movie.pif, sky_world.scr, document.pif, or application.pif
as the attached program.
To help verify that this issue is not being caused by your computer,
make sure you are running the latest updated version of your virus scanner
and scan your computer to make sure it is not infected with any viruses
or worms.
If your computer is infected with a virus or worm, make sure to let
all your e-mail contacts know that your computer was infected with a virus
and to make sure they check their computers as well.
If your computer was not infected with a virus or worm, it is very likely
that another computer on the Internet is infected with a virus and may
have used your e-mail address to distribute the virus. Unfortunately, there
is no simple method of tracking down the computer that was infected with
the virus, but telling all your e-mail contacts to make sure they have
checked their computer for viruses or worms is still a good idea if you
continue to receive automatic virus replies.
Note: Some virus protection programs may also send your e-mail account
a virus when someone else attempts to send you a virus. These messages
are meant as notification messages to let you know that an e-mail was blocked.
What can I do if I think my computer might be infected?
Hopefully you are running a good security and anti-virus program. If
you suspect your computer may be infected the first thing to do is open
your security program, update all the virus definitions, then scan your
computer. If a virus or worm is found a good security program can help
you get rid of it,
Sometimes a virus will disable your security program. In that case use
one of the free online virus scans provided by trusted security companies
such as Symantec ot McAfee. Links to those programs are in the box below.
Either one will help identify a virus or worm if you have one and
give instructions and tools for removing it from your system.
If a virus or worm is found on your computer delete it then warn everyone
in your address book that you had a virus and advise that they check their
computers.
How can I protect my computer from getting infected with a virus?
Be sure to install and run the best anti-virus program you can afford
and keep it updated. I use Norton Security 2006 on all my computers. I
update it daily.
Never open an e-mail attachment you are not expecting even if it appears
to be from someone you love and trust. My first e-mail virus was the I
love You Virus and it appeared to come to my computer from a man I love
and trust. But my dear friend Bill did not send me the file an infected
computer did. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Set your e-mail program to prohibit the automatic opening of attachments.
In Outlook Express go to the top tool bar and select "TOOLS.". Click on
"OPTIONS". Click on the Security Tab. Make sure the boxes are checked for
" Warn me when other applications try to send mail to me." and " Do not
allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus."
and "Block Images or other external content in HTML e-mail."
By being aware of computer threats you have taken the first step needed
to protect yourself and all your contacts from all this ugliness.
