When the user opens a corrupted file, the virus program activates and performs its damaging action. Sometimes this is immediately obvious, but at other times there is a delay while it takes full effect. Their effects range, but might link you to a pornographic website, install a pornographic picture as your screensaver, alter or delete files, or copy itself to all the people listed in your email address list. This can cause you to lose vital information, damage your reputation and lose you friends or customers.

Viruses are spread most commonly now by email, concealed by their creators within attachments to an email message. When the attachment file is opened, the virus delivers its punch and may also reproduce itself by sending a message with the same corrupted attachment to people in your email address book.

Viruses may also be hidden by their writers within files that are then made available on the Internet, such as downloadable games, demonstration copies of software, or files shared between individuals.

Most viruses are written to target the users of PC/ Windows software applications, such as Microsoft Outlook Express, as this is such a big target group worldwide and allows the writer to attack more people. Fewer viruses are designed to attack the users of Macs and other systems, so one preventive measure would be to consider using an operating system or applications that have greater security built-in. The “How stuff works” website has a good description of how viruses work. http://www.howstuffworks.com/virus.htm

Public internet access in centres such as libraries and cyber cafes may be protected to prevent damage to their services and to customers files, but this is not always the case so concerned adults should ask in each centre to find out its policy.

In the home, there are a number of options for adults who want to protect the family users from the effects of viruses downloaded from the Internet, from websites or files shared between friends.

Anti-virus software packages are worth considering seriously, as it makes good sense to protect yourself by installing this software and keeping it up to date. Purchase usually includes free online updates of the software reference files for a year, but there will be charges for updates in subsequent years. If a virus then does get activated on your PC, there is a very good chance that the software will stop it and clean it away before your machine is messed up. Symantec and McAfee are two companies offering virus protection products of this type. http://www.symantec.com and  http://www.mcafee.com/

Don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know, or messages which look “wrong” based on your knowledge about the person that sent them and their interests.

Be cautious about downloading software files from the websites of suppliers that aren’t known and trusted by you, such as new applications, games, etc. Use your anti-virus software to check it out before you install it. For the same reason, if you share files over the Internet with people who you don’t know, scan the files with your AV software before you open them.

Consider limiting the use of floppy discs and CDs brought in to the house by friends, or brought home from school, until any files on these discs have been scanned by anti-virus software.

Hoax virus warnings frequently circulate by email. Don’t pass virus warnings on, as it wastes everybody’s time and makes people worry needlessly. Software suppliers’ websites often offer the latest news about hoaxes and virus alerts about new threats. Symantec’s Virus Encyclopaedia is one example http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html/

Adults should keep a watch on their computer, looking out for signs that a virus acquired by a family member has affected its files. Signs could include things like Word documents being scrambled, or emails from friends complaining that you have emailed them a corrupted message. Talk to young people about their Internet use, and suggest that they are wary of viruses and think twice before opening attachments and downloading files.

Make regular back-up copies (onto floppy disc, CD, Zip drives, etc) of the files that are important to you. This way, if there is a virus-related disaster, you will have a recent copy of the files that matter to you and will be harmed less.

INTRODUCTION TO SAFE USE -- GOLDEN RULES --  WORLD WIDE WEB --  PERSONAL WEBPAGES -- EMAIL --  CHAT -- INSTANT MESSAGING -- NEWSGROUPS -- FILE-SHARING -- SHOPPING ONLINE -- FILTERING SOFTWARE -- COMPUTER VIRUSES -- BULLYING ONLINE -- GLOSSARY -- DISCUSSION AREA -- YOUR OPINION -- ONLINE CASINO