OK ... Lets explode some of the myths surrounding computer viruses.
The word virus was coined because many computer viruses are programmed to reproduce themselves as they attach their deadly code to normal computer files.
A stand alone personal computer sitting on your desk, minding its own business cannot become infected. A virus has to be physically loaded into your machine - usually as part of an infected program! Computers on a network are more prone to infection than stand alone machines because more people can load infected software into the system.
Copying copyrighted software without the authors permission is not only illegal, but also a represents a high risk of catching a computer virus - pirate games are probably the worst culprits. Only use shrink-wrapped software from reputable suppliers because infected software from legitimate software houses is very rare.
Trojan Horse - this is a program that pretends to be something else. Some years ago, a program sold as a virus checker was, in fact, a virus program.
Wabbit - this is an Elmer Fudd style mispronunciation of "Rabbit". Wabbit viruses simply multiply, filling up your hard disk with rubbish.
Time Bomb - as its name implies this sits and waits in your computer. When your machine reaches a particular date, or if you have run an infected program a certain number of times, the time bomb explodes, deleting files and generally wreaking havoc!
1. You must always keep an emergency boot disk created on a virus free computer - this allows you to start your machine from a floppy disk rather than the hard disk. MS DOS has a command called "SYS" which lets you make such a disk.
2. Back up all your data files regularly - and keep copies that go back at least several weeks. This means that should the worst happen, you can rebuild your system using files that predate the virus infection.
There are several anti-virus programs on the market, generally retailing for under £100. These programs scan your hard disk and any floppy disks you put in your machine checking files against a list of known viruses.
Viruses have increased in number from under 100 in 1989 to well over 1000 today - so your anti-virus list must be constantly updated. British made Bates VIS Anti-Virus updates your list every three months, setting you back an additional £60 a year.
Rule 1 - Don't panic! If your PC goes haywire, remember that viruses are comparatively rare. Your problem could be due to the way your PC is set up. In the USA there have been several cases of so-called computer consultants charging unsuspecting customers vast sums for removing non-existent viruses!
If you believe you genuinely have a virus, reboot your computer using your emergency boot disk. Then run a proprietary virus checker such as Norton Anti-Virus, or VIS. These help you locate and destroy infected files. Then you can restore your system using your backup disks.
In most countries of the world, writing and distributing Computer Viruses is against the law. Here in the UK, New Scotland Yard's Computer Crimes Unit, is very keen to track down individuals who perpetrate such crimes. If your firm has been hit then give the CCU a buzz on +44 (020) 7230 1177.
Garf Lucas is Editor of this e-zine, a freelance journalist and an Information Technology Consultant. Return To Text
A Virus is a small program which attaches itself to files which allow your computer to perform tasks - causing unusual or unexpected results. Return To Text
