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Computer Virus Notice
What is a virus?
A virus is a program written with malicious intent for the sole purpose of creating
havoc in a computer system. It attaches itself to executable files or boot sectors, so
it can replicate and spread. Some viruses may only cause your system to beep or
display messages or images on the screen. Other viruses are highly destructive and
corrupt or erase the contents of your files or disks. To be safe, never assume any
virus is harmless.
What types of viruses are known?
Viruses are identified by how they infect computer systems.
• Program Viruses infect executable program files such as.COM, .EXE,
.OVL, .DRV, .SYS, and .BIN.
• Boot Viruses attach themselves to a Boot Record, Master Boot, FAT, and
Partition Table.
• Multipartite Viruses are both program and boot infectors.
How does a virus spread and contaminate?
There are many ways a virus can spread and infect your system. However, a virus
is inactive until the infected program is executed, or a boot record is read.
Thereafter, the virus loads itself into system memory and begins to copy and spread
itself. Diskettes used in a contaminated system can get infected and in turn, transfer
the virus when used in another system. A virus can also spread via programs
downloaded from bulletin boards or the internet. Remember that viruses cannot
appear all by themselves. They have to be written then spread through direct
contact with executable programs or boot sectors.
What can users do to protect their systems?
Awareness is the key. Users need to learn about the existence of viruses, how they
perpetuate, and what to do to protect their systems by reducing the likelihood of
virus contamination. The following may help:
• Obtain an anti-virus program and make it a habit to scan the system
regularly. These programs may be purchased from a local software store
or obtained via shareware on the internet or on-line service providers
such as CompuServe, Prodigy, AOL, DeltaNet, etc.
• Make backup copies of all files and write-protect the disks.
USRGUIDE.BOO Page x Thursday, July 16, 1998 10:41 AM