What is a computer virus, and how can I know which threats are real and protect my computer from a virus attack?

Computer viruses are very small and vary in form. Most of the time, they go unnoticed until they attack your computer. They can travel from one computer to another, just like a human virus spreads from person to person, hence the name. When a computer gets one, we say it’s “infected,” and when the computer starts acting up, it’s said to display “symptoms.”

These symptoms may be as varied as a tiny dot moving all around the screen, as with the “Ping-Pong” virus, or some annoying music playing, as with the “Oropax” virus. These symptoms are signs that the “sickness” is doing something to your computer. Sometimes the so-called worst-case scenario happens, and some or all of the information you had on your computer’s disk disappears or shows up garbled. Only then do you know that your computer contracted a very “deadly” virus. Learn more about viruses and how-to protect your computer. Computer Viruses