Internet Security and Privacy
nMacro viruses: Macro viruses are contained in document files, such as Microsoft Word or Excel files. These files can contain macros that can automate your
nA final word should be said about hoax “viruses,” which are not viruses in the strictest sense of the term. A hoax virus replicates a hoax, spread by misinformed (if well intentioned)
How can my PC become infected with a virus?
An important thing to keep in mind is that viruses are spread only when you run an infected application (or open an infected document file, in the case of macro viruses). A virus cannot travel over your telephone line and infect your PC on its own. You must first download or copy an infected application and then run the application in order to infect your PC with a virus.
The only way to entirely avoid virus infection is to do
TIP
McAfee Internet Security offers comes with McAfee VirusScan which is easy to use. It automatically scans your PC for signs of virus infection, and investigates suspect files before they have a chance of infecting your PC.
Viruses are spread when infected diskettes are shared between PCs, and when you download and run infected files from online services, bulletin boards, or the Internet. Another potential (but remote) route for virus transmission is when you access Web pages that use Microsoft ActiveX technology or Sun’s Java. Web pages that use ActiveX, for example, can automatically download programs to your PC, and these programs might be infected with a virus. Although there is no known case where ActiveX and Java have spread viruses, there is still a possibility— remote as it may
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