Viruses

• A computer virus can copy itself to a computer and install itself without the owner being aware. Nowadays, viruses lurk on web-pages, in email attachments, on USB sticks (pen drives), or in files that are copied to shared storage.
• This means that if your computer is infected from an email attachment and you send that email to someone else, if they open the attachment, they will get infected too.
• Viruses now exist for mobile phones and for smart phones. They usually use Bluetooth (the wireless connection you use for earpieces and other short range connections) to spread.
• Viruses tend to affect computers by deleting files, creating phantom processes that cause the computer to operate slowly, or corrupting software. Viruses are usually localised in effect and destructive.
• BeAware! Some viruses come in offers to “check your computer for malware”. These usually tell you that your computer is infected and incite you to install the “virus protection”.
• Recommendation: Only buy anti-virus or computer protection software from well-known brands.