This page was last updated 05/23/02
In recent times, we have seen a proliferation of computer virus infections occurring on computers that are used to access the internet. The most famous of these virii are called "Worms", and spread themselves by sending themselves out as e-mail attachments to their next victims.
These virii get the address of their victims in a handful of ways:
First, the virus will search the users e-mail address book, and unknowing to the infected user, send itself to everyone in the address book.
Second, the virus will search through the infected users "Temporary Internet File" cache. This cache contains data from all the web sites you visit. In other words, if a web site has an e-mail address attached to it, the virus will send itself to that address as well.
I have been receiving such viruses as the W32.Klez at least two to three times every week. But I use an antivirus program which has been catching these infections.
You can help reduce the spread of viruses, and also save your crucial data, preventing damage to data and hardware on your computer, by installing, and using, antivirus software. You should absolutely never go on the internet with a computer that does not have antivirus protection installed. There are many out there you can purchase, however I do recommend one of the following: