What is a Virus?

Computer viruses are maliciously-designed programs that infect computers by hiding themselves inside normal, harmless programs. Once a virus has lodged itself into a program or file on your computer, it will lay dormant on your system until the infected program is run. The virus will then look for opportunities to self-replicate and attach the new versions of itself into different programs. The virus is programmed with instructions to damage your computer, and the more it spreads, the more destructive it will be.

Concerns for Parents

Viruses generally target your computer's ability to function rather than posing a safety threat to your child. A virus poses the following threats to your computer:

Viruses can destroy helpful programs or files on a computer

Viruses can slow your computer down

Viruses can cause your screen to display images or messages without your consent

Viruses can encrypt data stored on your computer, making it inaccessible and virtually useless

How Can I Keep My Computer Safe?

There are two main ways a smart computer user can steer clear of the hassle and headache brought on by viruses.

1. Protect your computer by installing anti-virus software

Installing a solid anti-malware protection package is the most important and effective way to keep your computer from harm. A good protection package will include a firewall. In today's world, running your computer without either is risky and maybe even foolhardy. Click here for a table of anti-virus software packages the Internet Safety Project recommends, and click here to read more about firewalls.

Owning a Mac is no exception to this rule. You are much safer with OSX, but the protection afforded by a good anti-virus is unquestionable.

2. Use good judgment when dealing with email, downloads, and the Internet in general

Following some basic Internet safety guidelines and using good old common sense will spare you from a lot of virus grief. Here are a few more simple ways to keep your computer safe:

Never open an email attachment unless you are certain it's from a trusted source AND you know exactly what the attachment is. Many viruses are spread through malicious email attachments.

Never download anything online unless you are certain that it is from a trustworthy source.

Avoid pornographic or illegal websites. Clicking around these sketchy sites puts you at high risk for contracting a virus.

Be cautious as to what external storage devices you allow in your computer. Think before you put any CD or USB port into your machine! Though the vast majority of viruses are spread on the Internet, some viruses still travel the "old-fashioned way."

3 Always update your computer

You can continue to improve your computer's security and decrease the possibility of infection by keeping your systems up-to-date, maintaining a current antivirus software subscription.