Understanding viruses and virus protection software

A computer virus, just like its name suggests, is something that infects your computer. Just like viruses for people, they infect your computer, how it runs, and what it does. Some viruses are meant only to harm your computer, while others are meant to gather information. For example one virus might have been written as a practical joke while another was written to get all the social security numbers from a certain database. Viruses are just like any other program you use on your computer, the only difference is that viruses were made to be harmful.

There are two basic types of viruses, macro and executable. Executable viruses are usually attached to an executable file. Once you download that file and put it to work the virus wakes up and infects your computer. The second type is a Macro virus. These types of viruses need another computer program before they can work, and are usually attached to Microsoft Word or Excel. Once you open that program the virus begins its work, usually not only infecting the document itself but also any other documents you have in that program.

But fear not! There are many software programs that will scan attachments for you, assuring that you will not open a virus and infect your computer. Exactly how these programs work varies and depends on the program, but they all work to the same end result. They scan your computer hard drive and any attachments you send and receive before allowing you to open them. Anything that appears suspicious is red flagged. Some programs run a scan once a day while others are constantly scanning your hard drive and emails for any possible viruses. You can change the settings so the program will show you while it works and ask for your permission before doing anything, or you can have the program run silently and invisible in the background.

It is pretty easy to get virus blocking software, most every new computer sold has some sort of anti-virus software built in, and there are even free versions on the internet. There are many different programs available; it should not be hard to find one that suits your needs. Whatever program you decide know that anti-virus software is essential to your computer, without it you might open yourself up to much damage to your computer and business.