~ Usually defined as " a malicious code of computer programming" it is actually just another software, only written with not so noble intentions.

~ A computer virus is designed to install, reproduce itself and cause damage to computer files and data without the users knowledge or permission.

~ A computer virus can only survive and attack in computer memory, which is usually RAM and disk storage.

~ You will not find a computer virus in your monitor or keyboard.

How will the virus invade your computer?

~ All viruses enter the system through two main points.

~ Disk drives may be any type (hard, floppy, CD and whatever you have). This makes anything you insert in your drive a possible source of infection.

~ The network adapter card is most likely your connection to the Internet. Viru

While not technically viruses, other malicious programs like worms and Trojan horses usually get stuck in there too. A worm is a program that replicates itself but does not necessarily infect other programs. Just like in the Greek myth, Trojan horses contain a concealed surprise. A Trojan horse program lies hidden in another seemingly harmless piece of software until some condition triggers its awakening.

~ After entering the computer memory, A virus often immediately sets out to multiply and spread duplicate copies of itself across the main data storage device. It does this by copying itself into as many files as it can on the disk drive. Later when users transfer or copy these files to their friends and colleagues, the virus can gain entry to all of their systems. If the virus has come this far on its path, the user may have permanent damage to data and hardware. Such a level of infection only happens to two types of users, those who do not install good anti-virus programs and those who do not update their programs on a monthly basis. As a result newer viruses can actually use the anti-virus programs to infect an even greater number of files.

1) Boot sector viruses are usually transmitted when an infected floppy disk is left in the drive and the system is rebooted. The virus is read from the infected boot sector of the floppy disk and written to the master boot record of the system's hard drive. The master boot sector is the first place your system reads from when booting up from the hard drive. Then whenever the computer is booted up, the virus will be loaded into the system's memory.

Schmauder, Phil. "Virus Proof" The ultimate guide to protecting your PC, March 1998

 Arm your computer- make sure you have a good antivirus program

ses enter here most likely disguised as e-mail attachments. These attachments are often program files and office documents containing macros. Besides e-mail attachments

Some common words found in the essay are:
Internet Viruses, Fred Cohen, Computer Virus, Microsoft Word, Coast Internet, Microsoft Outlook, Janet Simons, , Watch Net-, Check Floppies-Scan, computer virus, boot sector, subject line, computer memory, ~ computer, ~ computer virus, hard drive, boot sector viruses, disk drive, e-mail subject, sector viruses, love bug, ~ network adapter,
Approximate Word count = 1308
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)