Virus

            VIRUSES

Viruses are programs or program code that replicates (copies itself) with the

intention of deleting or corrupting files and causing the computer to malfunction

(for example, by deleting .exe files, filling up the hard drive with ‘useless’ data,

and so on).

Viruses need an active host program on the target computer or an operating

system that has already been infected, before they can actually run and cause

harm (that is, they need to be executed by some trigger to start causing any

damage).

Viruses are often sent as email attachments, and reside on infected websites or

on infected software downloaded to the user’s computer. Apart from all the usual

safety actions (for example, do not open emails from unknown sources, do not

install non-original software), always run an up-to-date virus scanner.