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-Aristotle
-Aristotle
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Computer Virus'
The most common way to experience a problem with a computer system is to have the system infected with an
electronic virus. This can happen in several ways. One of the most common ways a computer is infected is by use of
a virus introduced through an e-mail attachment. Once the e-mail attachment is opened, or someone attempts to
open it, an executable file hidden in the attachment executes, attaching the virus to a file in the computer. This virus
may then sit there dormant, waiting for a specific command to activate. It may wait on a specific date and time to
activate. Once activated, the virus may destroy files and folders on the computer's hard disk, to include operating
systems, making the computer useless. Some virus' may propagate into the address book of the e-mail program,
and then autonomously send out an e-mail message to the individuals listed in the e-mail address book,
automatically (and unknowingly to the computer operator) spreading the virus to other computers.
Another way for computer to become infected is by putting floppy discs or compact discs into the computer which
have a virus on the disc. Once a file on the infected disc is opened, the virus is immediately transferred to the hard
disc of the computer, and propogates from there.
Finally, there is the "denial of service" attack. This is not a virus, but an equally destructive method of slowing down
or shutting down both not only individual computers, but also computer servers and computers linked together by a
network system. The "denial of service" attack occurs when a computer system is so inundated with thousands of
e-mails or other inquiries all at once, so much so that it shuts down, denying anyone access to the system. This has
affected big companies, like America on Line, and even governmental agencies such as the Department of Labor,
the CIA, and some military sites at the Department of Defense. Since then, new security concepts have been put in
place, but even those security fixes are sometimes vulnerable to attack.
The most common way to experience a problem with a computer system is to have the system infected with an
electronic virus. This can happen in several ways. One of the most common ways a computer is infected is by use of
a virus introduced through an e-mail attachment. Once the e-mail attachment is opened, or someone attempts to
open it, an executable file hidden in the attachment executes, attaching the virus to a file in the computer. This virus
may then sit there dormant, waiting for a specific command to activate. It may wait on a specific date and time to
activate. Once activated, the virus may destroy files and folders on the computer's hard disk, to include operating
systems, making the computer useless. Some virus' may propagate into the address book of the e-mail program,
and then autonomously send out an e-mail message to the individuals listed in the e-mail address book,
automatically (and unknowingly to the computer operator) spreading the virus to other computers.
Another way for computer to become infected is by putting floppy discs or compact discs into the computer which
have a virus on the disc. Once a file on the infected disc is opened, the virus is immediately transferred to the hard
disc of the computer, and propogates from there.
Finally, there is the "denial of service" attack. This is not a virus, but an equally destructive method of slowing down
or shutting down both not only individual computers, but also computer servers and computers linked together by a
network system. The "denial of service" attack occurs when a computer system is so inundated with thousands of
e-mails or other inquiries all at once, so much so that it shuts down, denying anyone access to the system. This has
affected big companies, like America on Line, and even governmental agencies such as the Department of Labor,
the CIA, and some military sites at the Department of Defense. Since then, new security concepts have been put in
place, but even those security fixes are sometimes vulnerable to attack.
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