The Caprok.Net Virus Information Page |
A virus is a parasitic program written to intentionally enter a
computer, without the user's permission or knowledge, and destroy or corrupt data and
sometimes hardware. The virus attaches to files or boot sectors (the portion of your hard
drive/floppy disk containing your system start-up information) and replicates itself, and
thereby spreading. Though some viruses basically only replicate themselves, others can
cause serious damage or affect program and system performance. Viruses most commonly cause
minor damage to specific files, causing "strange things" and errors to occur.
However, you should never assume a virus is harmless and left on your computer. If your
system is behaving strangely, or performance seems to be poor, always scan your systems
for viruses with AN UP-TO-DATE virus scanning program. Virus shields are also recommended.
For more information on viruses & Hoax's, check out
Symantec's Anti-Virus Research Center Homepage
.Every server checks for Virus's . The chances of a Virus getting through every server it encounters and winding up in your computer is Very, Very small. Around a 45 million to 1 chance. You should win the lottery 3 times for each virus you get. On the other hand, the chances of getting a virus from a floppy disk, that your friend gave you (attached to that neat new screen saver) is quite high and the most likely place you will get a Virus. Always scan floppys for Virus's before downloading any program from it.
NOTE: We highly recommend "Dr Solomans" virus protection software. (We use it) It is consistently rated # 1. Dr Soloman's is available at Hastings in Midland & Odessa for around $68.00 It should also be readily available from Best Buy and Circuit City, Office Depot etc. or any good software store. You can also order it online. Don't be tempted to use "NON-Registered" or expired "demo" software. Virus protect software that cannot be updated frequently ( registerd users only ) is next to worthless as over 200 new virus's are detected and documented every week.
MORE INFO
"Cookies " simply cannot carry a virus, they are text files and Virus's must be attached to binary files for them to do their dirty work and propogate. E-mail is also text and cannot carry a virus, but binary attachments to E-Mail can. E-Mail is typically relayed 4 to 8 times before it reaches it's destination. All of the relay points check for Virus's as well as our own mail server. ( we do sacrifice a little bit of speed for this but it is well worth it. ) Then your own machine should make a final check when an attachment is received.
As you can see, it is a very lucky Virus that survives all of this and still makes it to you. Because of the nature of virus transmission (99% by floppy disk) we cannot be responsible for any virus you may get. All we can do is give you as much info as possible so that you know how to protect yourself. Ultimately you are responsible for making sure that your machine is protected and virus free.