Computer Virus Alert!

If you think deadly viruses attack only the living species, better think again. Just like aggressive viruses that hit and deteriorate the bodies of humans, animal and plants, computer viruses are lethal. These fatal bugs often spread throughout bodies of computers without apparent contact, with and without the user's help or knowledge. Computer viruses can be a painful nuisance that can cause a computer to malfunction, or even worse, cut the computer's life span short.

Viruses did not come from nowhere. An estimated ten to fifteen new viruses are created each day by persons who are aptly called the electronic versions of world terrorists. These wreckers intend to cause destruction to people as often as they possibly can by stealing, disabling, destroying or damaging resources and information that are stored in and accessed through computers. Electronic terrorists often have no particular targets for their demolition jobs; hence no computer can be safe. Access to the internet, sharing computer files with other known or unknown users or uploading from and downloading to CDs, DVDs, USBs or diskettes make the unit vulnerable to computer viruses that spread online.

To counter these unfortunate occurrences, certain people have dedicated their time and effort to develop "quick cures" for the viruses in cyberspace. A clueless user, for his or her part, doesn't have to be helpless in this case as well. Certain steps can be undertaken to ensure that a computer does not catch any virus.

Vigilance is necessitated to spot a virus. A user has to be aware that most of the viruses are attached in e-mails simply because this way is the most convenient, the easiest and to some novice users, the least expected.

When certain doubts arise regarding an e-mail, experts say that the wisest response is to simply delete, without opening or previewing it. There are some viruses, though, that fish people's mail addresses from the address book feature of a mailbox. Hence, a virus-containing email may be received from someone who is listed in the address book. Users should be aware not to fall for this tricky trap. Under this circumstance, this cliché is useful "when in doubt, don't."

Defending a computer from viruses can also be effectively done by installing anti-virus programs and software. Some users also put in firewall software, which scans all drives in the unit to catch viruses and have them neutralized. Anti-virus software has to be compatible with the computer unit's operating system.

Downloading anything from public web groups can be very risky, computer experts say. Programs and files coming from newsgroups, chatrooms and the like should not be opened. A user may opt to scan the email or attachment first using the anti-virus software before opening it.

For shared computers, assigning passwords is a clever idea. These passwords should consist of numbers and letters combined, and nonsensical, if possible. Passwords should be kept private and not placed near the computers. No clue should be given out regarding these confidential words.

It is also a preventive measure to create back ups of the files of a computer regularly, just in case the virus has crashed into the unit. It may be ignored, but turning off the computer can be a great way to avoid viruses. Computers with access to the Internet that are almost always on can be exposed to greater risks. Online hackers are unable to crash machines that are powered off.

Computers are more than for leisure; these are purposed for practical uses. Hence, it is essential that computers are being maintained as much as they are being used.