~ You are visiting my Virus Understanding page ~
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"Oh, no!  I just got an e-mail saying my computer will blow up if I get this virus!  Help me!!!  I have to tell everyone!!!" 

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First- don't panic.  Yes, viruses are very real and can be very destructive (see below).  However, it's been estimated that at least 95% of virus warnings (and other scary and too-good-to-be-true stories) you may receive as e-mails are really HOAXES. Not only that, some of the hoaxes themselves can be destructive themselves! For example, if you ever get an e-mail telling you to look for and delete a file- DON'T!!!

Before you go do something rash- like sending that e-mail off to everyone in your list- play it smart and check it out! There are several good sites to find out if you should really worry about something.  Not only that, if you check it out and let others know, you will look very cyber-savvy to them!

Here are the top sites I recommend to check out the facts:

from the makers of Norton Anti-virus:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html

From McAfee:
http://vil.mcafee.com

and (my favorites) for all types of hoaxes:
About.com's Urban Legend site

and
Snopes.com

Save these addresses in your Favorites (or Bookmark them, or whatever you wish to call it), and you can check out these stories anytime.  Usually this can be done quickly by pressing the "CTRL" and "D" keys at the same time.

~THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!~

Now, a REAL virus can be a REAL pain.  Some viruses really CAN wipe out your hard drives and more!  You should have an anti-virus program on your computer, and you should update it once or twice a month at least.  A very good program is made by Trend Micro, called PC-cillin. Another that has gone downhill, in my opinion, is by Symantec (Norton Antivirus) and one that has improved recently is by McAfee, available through Best Buy. If you don't think you can afford anything (like headaches and hassles and crashed computers don't cost you too!), check out a couple of free ones listed on my Programs site.  Please, PLEASE... have some type of protection on your computer, and keep it updated!

If you insist on not getting a program, you should frequently check your computer for viruses using this link from Trend Micro... FREE Online Virus Scan Always up to date. Nothing to install. Detects viruses and cleans your PC.

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