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Aptiva - How to avoid viruses
Applicable to: World-Wide
For information on Aptiva PCs and the CIH virus, click here - 
A "virus" is a program used to infect a computer. Virus code is buried within an existing program or document. When the program is executed, the virus code is activated and attaches copies of itself to other programs in the computer. When an infected program is run, the virus will be activated and again copy itself to other programs. Usually a virus will alter and/or erase critical files on a disk or diskette. A computer virus may be resident on a disk or diskette and go unnoticed for a period of time during which it can be transmitted to other systems (usually by software copied from one system and loaded on another). The virus can go unnoticed because it must stay hidden to spread, and the virus programmer designs them to hide from the computer user.
A virus cannot attach to most data files; they must attach to an executable program on a computer. For the virus to be activated, the program to which the virus has attached itself must be run. The virus that can infect data files is called a "macro" virus. Macro viruses infect document files that can contain embedded macros. A macro is a program designed to customize word processing software, but malicious macro programs can destroy data. The most common macro viruses infect Microsoft Word document files.
Viruses can be spread from the Internet. It is risky to download software from sources that you do not trust. Be especially careful if you receive E-mail offering software too good to be true and coming from someone you do not know. It is safe to read E-mail, as the virus is not in the text. The virus could be in files that are attached to the E-mail message, however.
The majority of viruses that are contracted on PCs are passed along through "hand-to-hand" exchange of software and documents. To avoid contracting a virus on your computer, there are a number of precautions you can take. There are many AntiVirus scanning programs on the market -- whether you use the program to avoid contracting a virus or to get rid of an existing virus. AntiVirus programs can scan for all types of viruses, including the macro viruses. Viruses change over time, so the AntiVirus software needs to be updated periodically. The AntiVirus manufacturers normally provide a web page where updates can be downloaded. You can find updates for IBM AntiVirus at http://www.av.ibm.com. For instructions on updating Norton AntiVirus, click here - .
It is also a good idea to scan diskettes that have been used on other computers before using the diskettes on your computer. This is especially true if you are using diskettes on a computer that many other people also use, for example in a computer lab on a high school or college campus. It is also a good idea to periodically backup your software.
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Document Category |
Utility Software, General Information | |
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Date Created |
17-04-97 | |
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Last Updated |
05-04-99 | |
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Revision Date |
31-03-2000 | |
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Brand |
IBM Aptiva | |
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Product Family |
Aptiva, PS/1 | |
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Machine Type |
2134, 2136, 2137, 2138, 2139, 2140, 2142, 2144, 2153, 2156, 2158, 2159, 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2168, 2176, 2011, 2121, 2123, 2133, 2155 | |
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