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Why do most viruses seem to affect Windows users?

Most personal computers rely on the Windows operating system. Therefore, writing a virus to attack that operating system is more likely to create havoc then one written to attack Linux or Apple operating systems.

I keep reading about the viruses that affect Microsoft Outlook, Word, or Excel. Should I change programs?

Again, most creators write viruses written to exploit these programs because the programs are popular, not because they are better or worse than other available software. Rather then changing software applications, your best bet for protection is to make sure that you are alert to updates for your software. Almost all software manufacturers have lists of updates, fixes, and security patches available for download from their Web sites.

I just received an e-mail warning me of a virus. What should I do?

E-mail virus hoaxes can be almost as virulent as actual viruses. A particularly persuasive hoax will have people propagating the e-mail rapidly, increasing traffic on mail servers, and, in some cases, requiring companies to shut down their mail servers to avoid a crash.

Before you hit that Forward button, check out Symantec's Hoaxes web page to get the full scoop.

I suspect I have a virus. What should I do?

If you suspect you have a virus, the first thing you should do is run a virus scan using your virus software. If you find no viruses, follow the directions to update your virus definition files and run a second scan. Still no viruses? You're probably in the clear. Go ahead and back up important files and reboot. If there were no problems, chances are you're safe.

It's tempting -- if you think you have a virus -- to immediately back up all of your files onto a server, CD disc, or other media for safekeeping. The problem? If you don't know what virus you have, you may be backing up and transferring it as well. Viruses are one of the many reasons you should have a comprehensive data backup plan to minimize data loss in the event something very, very bad happens to your computer.

I have a virus. Is it all over for my poor little computer?

Nope. Open your virus software book and follow the instructions for a clean boot. This will get you on the road to recovery. If you are unable to follow or complete the instructions, call your IT contractor or the staff person in charge of your library's computer system. If you need an IT contractor, check out TechSoup's list of technical assistance providers to find one near you.

Most viruses are annoying and time consuming, and they may cause some data loss, but they won't necessarily destroy your system.

How do I avoid data loss in the event that a very, very, very bad virus hits my library's computers?

The same way you avoid data loss in general. Back up, back up, back up. Protect yourself by regularly backing up all your systems. That way, if you do lose data, you won't lose it all.

How can I keep informed about viruses? Are there good e-newsletters?

The best way to keep on top of virus threats is to be vigilant about updating your software with bug fixes and security patches and regularly updating your virus definition files. If you want even more virus news, however, subscribe to ZDNet's Antivirus Update Page. This covers more than just viruses and is a good resource for common security issues.

I'm on a network system with broadband, always -on Internet access. Do I have to worry more about viruses?

Nope. You have to worry more about hackers. Viruses are malicious programs that cause varying degrees of damage to a computer and are generally spread by the users or by the programs themselves. If you have an always-on Internet connection, you have to worry about protecting your system from intrusions. To find out more, see the article, Firewalls and Your Library.

Will this virus protection stuff mess with any of my existing software?

Software conflicts -- two different products that will not peacefully coexist on your machine -- are a part of the computing age, and there is no way to determine if a potential conflict can be avoided before installing software. However, there are some known problems:

ï‚· Installing another virus protection program. Two antivirus programs are not better than one. In fact, two may be worse and may not work at all. You'll have to remove any other virus protection programs before installing your new software.

ï‚· Problems with older systems. On older systems you may wish to disable all auto-protect features, especially those that run anytime the computer is rebooted, or scan all e-mail attachments. Be sure the program will work on your system before enabling those features. Remember, though, if you've turned off the auto-protect features, you must be vigilant about running regular scans and checking e-mail attachments.

ï‚· System slowdowns. Virus protection software can sometimes slow your system to a crawl. This is particularly true for older machines that may have limited memory or other resources that can cause them to spend a good chunk of time scanning files. The solution? Turn off the auto-protect features and scan manually.

Where do I get information on more specific issues?

Give Norton support a try. Their knowledge base contains lots of helpful answers.