WORMS AND VIRUSES
Recently, I received several strange emails from several people I did not know. These emails all had the same message:
"Hi. How are you? When I saw this screen saver, I immediately thought about you. I am in a harry, (sic) I promise you will love it!"
My first thought when I saw this message was that it must be a virus. Since it came from someone I didn't know, and it asked me to open an attached file, I felt that it probably was a virus. I was correct.
Luckily I deleted these messages. Later, when I was reading the Internet news, I read that a major virus was attacking computers in Europe and America. It was called the "Goner" virus.
This virus was spread by emails, and by instant messaging software. Over 100,000 personal computers and networks were affected by this virus on the first day. In particular, it hurt computers that use Microsoft Outlook for their email systems. Since I don't use Outlook, I did not have any problems.
Much trouble was caused by this virus, and many companies email systems stopped working completely. This virus is called a "worm" and worked in three ways.
First it deletes files from the user's hard drive, including Anti-virus software (software that protects your computer from viruses.) Next, it emails copies of itself to all of the names in the address book of Outlook. That is why it spread so quickly. Finally, it installs a "back door" that allows hackers to take over your PC.
All of these email messages came to my office computer. Recently, however, at home I have received many strange emails from Japan. I was not able to open these emails. Now I have learned that many, many computer users in Japan were infected by a similar virus this last week. So these viruses are common in Japan, the US and Europe.
The lesson for all of us is to be careful what emails we open, and make sure that your "anti-virus" software is up-to date. This is the best defense we have against cyber-terrorists who send these viruses.
