The actual anti-virus program itself will be updated from time to time. This is even more the case when you receive files regularly from outside sources. This should be done on as frequent as basis as possible. Updating anti-virus software mostly involves updating the signatures file. One of the main measures to protect against viruses, anti-virus software, is discussed in this section.Īnti-virus software scans files for pieces of code, called signatures, which it recognizes as part of a virus. The measures you can take to protect yourself against viruses will be discussed in the next section. The actions of computer viruses were discussed in the previous section. Macro-virus, described above, can be hidden in ordinary documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

In attachments to emails and in emails themselves.

Macros allow you to create mini-programs to carry out certain tasks in your applications. Macro-viruses: Macro-viruses make use of a special customization feature in applications called macros. For example, instead of formatting a diskette, the virus causes the hard drive to be formatted. Logic bombs: A logic bomb is similar to a time bomb, except that instead of becoming active at a certain time, it becomes active when a particular activity happens. This can include the deletion of everything on the hard drive. At this date or time, the virus suddenly becomes active and carries out whatever task it is programmed to do. Time bomb: A time bomb is a virus which lies dormant until a certain date or time or for a period of time. One of the signs of invasion by a worm is the slowness of computers.

Worm: A Worm is a program that replicates itself over and over in the computer's memory until the computer can barely function.

When the program is used, the virus is released and can begin its work of replication and annoyance or damage. Trojan: A Trojan (or Trojan horse) is a virus that hides itself inside another legitimate program.

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