Computer viruses infect a computer in three basic ways: when a user (1) opens an infected file, (2) runs an infected program, or (3) powers on the computer with an infected disk in a disk drive. Today, the most common way a computer becomes infected with a virus is when a user opens an infected e-mail attachment.c Methods that guarantee a computer or network is totally safe from computer viruses simply do not exist. Users can take …showed first 75 words of 654 total…

…showed last 75 words of 654 total…a specified time. Finally, stay informed about new virus alerts and virus hoaxes. A virus hoax is an e-mail message that warns users of a nonexistent virus. Often, the virus hoaxes are in the form of a chain letter that requests the user to send a copy of the e-mail to as many people as possible. Instead of forwarding the e-mail, visit a Web site that publishes a list of virus alerts and virus hoaxes.