My usual explanations for friends who are new to computers ...
What is a virus ? .. What is a worm ?
"Horrible little things that try to destroy your files"
Do I need to buy an anti-virus program ?
Not if you are not on-line and never install new software.
But I want to surf the web and write and receive emails?
Buy a good anti-virus program and up-date frequently
What shall I do when I receive an attachment from an unknown person ?
Don't open it .. Delete it
And when it's from some-one I know, a friend, my Mum, you ?
Don't open it .. email them/me and ask if they/ I sent you something
And if they say "Yes .. it's that file we talked about last week"
Then run the (up-dated) virus scanner
over it again and
if it's "clean" ... open it and enjoy :-)
As you see I'm no expert .. but I know they can make your life
a misery, turn you paranoid
and when the little monsters are successful: ruin the work of days, weeks
or months"
If you want to know the ins and outs and technical details then look here
and join the
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