Question:

What are computer viruses and how do they work?

Macro Computer Viruses

Unlike previous viruses, macro viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents and templates. As part of your email security practice, don't open unknown file attachments. Opening a document or template that contains a macro virus will infect your system and the virus will spread to other documents and templates you may have on your system. Some macro viruses are not harmful, but they can be annoying. However, there are some macro viruses that can be very destructive. Also, Word macro viruses can be spread across platforms; for example, the macro virus can infect files on the Windows platform, as well as files on the Macintosh platform.

Computer Viruses

Most instant message programs allow you to automatically logon when you startup your computer so that you don't have to enter your password every time you want to use the program. Remember you can't trust the information security on an unfamiliar computer. If you use a public computer make sure not to configure your IM program for automatic logon.

Computer Viruses

According to some estimates, 75% of all viruses today are macro viruses. Once a macro virus gets onto your machine, it can embed itself in all future documents you create with the application. Antivirus internet security software can protect your system against most macro viruses, although new ones are always being created that slip by the antivirus internet filters.

Getting a Virus Through Email

You can't get a virus just by reading a plain-text E-mail message or Usenet post. What you have to watch out for are encoded messages containing embedded executable code (i.e., JavaScript in an HTML message) or messages that include an executable file attachment such as an encoded program file or a Word document containing macros.

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Jolyn Wells-Moran