What is a Virus?

A virus is a manmade program or piece of code that causes an unexpected, usually negative, event. Viruses are often disguised games or images with clever marketing titles such as "Me, nude."

What is a Worm?

Computer Worms are viruses that reside in the active memory of a computer and duplicate themselves. They may send copies of themselves to other computers, such as through email or Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

What is a Trojan Horse?

A Trojan horse program is a malicious program that pretends to be a benign application; A Trojan horse program purposefully does something the user does not expect. Trojans are not viruses since they do not replicate, but Trojan horse programs can be just as destructive.

Many people use the term to refer only to non-replicating malicious programs, thus making a distinction between Trojans and viruses.

What is Spyware?

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent. While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party.

How do I get a virus?

There are three main ways to get a computer virus:

• Using an infected disk or flash drive
• Executing an infected application or file
• Reading a document infected by a macro virus

Many viruses are now spread through "Peer to Peer" or "P2P" networks (such as limewire, bearshare, etc.) after you open the downloaded file you have infected your computer. Many are also spread by email. ONLY OPEN ATTACHMENTS IF YOU ARE EXPECTING THEM! Even if the email is from somebody that you know it may contain a virus.

What are some symptoms of viruses?

This proves to be a much more difficult question than it appears. There is no "set" of symptoms that let you know you have a virus. Individual viruses do exhibit distinct symptoms, however there is no way to tell in general. The best defense is a regularly updated anti-virus program. Unfortunately the most frequent way of finding out that you have a virus is if you get disconnected from the network.

How to get rid of an infection:

The best way to deal with viruses is not to get them in the first place. This means installing, running, and updating your anti-virus software, and taking care not to do any of the items mentioned above that may result in contracting a virus.

However if you have contracted a virus there are several solutions. Here are just a few:

1. If you know what virus you have contracted you can download the removal tool from the following site:
   http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/
   Be sure and carefully follow all instructions, removal will not work if all instructions are not followed.
2. If you are not sure which virus you have contracted download the following:
   http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
   Again follow all instructions carefully.

How to prevent infection in the future:
The best way to prevent infection is to run an up to date anti-virus program in conjunction with a firewall. In addition avoid using peer-to-peer networks and only open email attachments if you are expecting them.