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File Infecting Viruses
File infectors, also known as parasitic viruses, operate in memory and usually infect
executable files with the following extensions: *.COM, *.EXE, *.DRV, *.DLL, *.BIN, *.OVL,
*.SYS. They activate every time the infected file is executed by copying themselves into
other executable files and can remain in memory long after the virus has activated.
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Thousands of different file infecting viruses exist, but similar to boot sector viruses,
the vast majority operate in a DOS 16-bit environment. Some, however, have successfully
infected the Microsoft Windows, IBM OS/2, and Apple Computer Macintosh environments.
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Multi-Partite Viruses
Multi-partite viruses have characteristics of both boot sector viruses and file infecting
viruses.
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Macro Viruses
Macro viruses currently account for about 80 percent of all viruses, according to the
International Computer Security Association, and are the fastest growing viruses in
computer history. Unlike other virus types, macro viruses aren't specific to an operating
system and spread with ease via email attachments, floppy disks, Web downloads, file
transfers, and cooperative applications.
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Macro viruses are, however, application-specific. They infect macro utilities that accompany such applications as Microsoft Word and Excel, which means a Word macro virus cannot infect an Excel document and vice versa. Instead, macro viruses travel between data files in the application and can eventually infect hundreds of files if undeterred.
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Macro viruses are written in "every man's programming language" - Visual Basic - and are relatively easy to create. They can infect at different points during a file's use, for example, when it is opened, saved, closed, or deleted.
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SAFE COMPUTING PRACTICES
1) Install antivirus software and keep it current, ideally updating it daily. This is
your first and best defense.
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2) Don't open e-mail attachments from anyone you don't know-and be wary of those from
people you do. Some viruses spread by mailing themselves to contacts in an infected
computer's address book. If you have any doubts about the safety of an attachment,
check with the source before opening it.
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3) Keep your computer up to date with the latest patches and fixes issued by the
manufacturer. If you use Microsoft Windows products use "Windows Update" to scan and
update your Windows operating system with the latest free software patches, including
those for Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook Express.
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4) Install a "firewall", especially if you use a
high-speed Internet connection like cable or DSL. A firewall can help block
unauthorized entry into your computer, as well as restrict outbound traffic.
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How do I know if I've been infected by a computer virus?
As indicated earlier in this article some signs that you've been infected by a virus
might include:
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1) Unusual messages or images displaying on your computer monitor.
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2) Unusually slow overall performance of your computer.
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3) Your computer shuts down and reboots (restarts) with no intervention on
your part.
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4) Unusually slow Internet access speeds or unusual activity on your connection to
the Internet. Some viruses attempt to use your computer to contact other computers owned
by the virus author. The virus may be attempting to steal information stored on your
computer like stored credit card numbers. The virus may then send this stolen information
to the virus author using your computer. Some viruses steal e-mail address stored on
your computer. The virus then sends a copy of itself to all the e-mail addresses on your
computer. This activity might slow down the speed of your Internet connection.
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