1. I can only get them from opening attachments from people I do not know
   WRONG many viruses come from friends who have a virus on their PC and your address in their addressbook
2. My PC came with a virus checker on it
   WRONG a virus checker is no good unless you regularly update it each day
3. I don't use email on my PC so I cannot get a virus.
   WRONG malware is spread by email, but also by random attacks to any machine on the net, or by visiting a compromised website. It can also be spread by exchanging disks or memory sticks

What does malware do?

Malware may spread itself to other PCs by email, random hits or disk swapping. This ensures that the malware survives and spreads

Malware also carries a payload which inflicts some form of damage. In addition to the intended payload, it often cause instability in PCs lockups, slow response, irrational behaviour, etc. The following are examples what malware can do.

1. Log keystrokes when you are entering a password or secure information (e.g. bank security code) and email this information to an address setup by the virus writer.
2. Select files at random off your PC and email them to anyone in your addressbook
3. Disconnect your web connection or divert web searches to the wrong sites.
4. Delete files from your hard disk
5. Pop messages up on the screen
6. Some viruses destroy information on your hard disk, making the PC un-useable.

Hoaxes Viruses

There are many hoaxes circulating the world

The following is the text of an email hoax which has been circulating for many years. it is not a virus, but is asking you to do damage to your PC by deleting a legitimate file.

Unfortunately a virus has been passed to me through an address book virus which has also infected my address book. As you are in my address book, you will probably find it in your computer too. The virus (called jdbg.exe or jdbgmgr.exe) is not detected by Norton or McAfee Antuvirus. It sits quietly for fourteen days before damaging the system. It is sent automatically by 'messenger' and address book, whether or not you sent email to your contacts. Basically, that means you will pass it on unknowingly, as I did. I was sent this email and am now passing it on to you as to check for the virus and get rid of it.
Plese do this:
It is very simple and took me less than a minute to complete.

1. Go to start then click on Find or Search
2. In the folder option type the name 'jdbgmgr.exe
3. Be sure to search your C drive and the sub folders and any other drives you may have.
4. Click 'Find Now' or 'Search'
5. The virus has teddy bear icon and the name 'jdbgmgr.exe'. DO NOT OPEN IT!
6. Go the 'Edit' on the menu bar and choose 'Select All' to highlight the file without opening it.
7. Now go to 'File' on the menu bar and select 'Delete'. that will send the virus to the recycle bin where it can be permanently deleted.
8. If you find the virus, you must contact all the people in your address book so that they may eradicate the virus from their own address books.

To do this
1. Open a new email message
2. Click on the 'address book' icon next to 'To'
3. Highlight every name and add to 'BCC'
4. Copy this message and paste to email.

This will affect everyone in your address book so send it to everyone.

There are many hoaxes with a similar theme, if in doubt put the name (i.e. jdbgmgr.exe) into google and check what it is

What to do if you think you have a virus

1. Act immediately, do not wait, You may be spreading it to other people.
2. Disconnect the internet from yourcomputer and run a virus scan.
3. Contact me for further information, prompt action is important

Make sure you have a virus checker, firewall and Spyware checker and that they are up to date