Viruses : Detecting

There are several steps that you can take to reduce the risk of a virus getting on to your computer. These include :

• Only use floppy disks or CD-ROMs from respectable sources e.g. software companies on your computer.
• Do not use your floppy disks on other computers which may have viruses.
• Be careful about what files you download off the Internet. Viruses are often disguised to make them sound more interesting.

Deliberately introducing a virus onto a computer system is an offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 which is punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years.

You could also install a special virus checking program on your computer. A virus checker will examine any files that you use. If a file has a virus then the program will detect it and may be able to remove it. Removing the virus could damage the file that has the virus but it will stop the virus spreading. Of course new viruses are produced all of the time so you must keep you virus checker program up to date with details of all the latest viruses.

If you are worried about a virus or worm getting onto your computer over the Internet you can use a firewall to stop other computers accessing data on your computer.

Regularly backing up important data will ensure that it can be recovered if it is attacked by a virus.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004