The OneMinute Geek:

Viruses and Hoxes

With 86,000 viruses infecting the internet, what are the odds of encountering a hoax?

The Problem:

Remember the chain-letter email claiming Disney and Bill Gates were working together on a new email tracking system and needed you to forward the email to everyone you know? In return for your support you would supposedly be eligible for $5000 and a free round trip to Disney World. It was a hoax.

There are many hoaxes circulating on the internet. Some offer unlikely benefits, others warn of new, dangerous viruses. If you follow their detailed instructions, you may disable your computer. You need to learn how to separate warnings about real viruses from hoaxes.

The Solution:

First, protect your computer. Install an anti-virus program. Set it up to run automatically, keep your virus definitions current, and re-subscribe annually. Always immediately download any patches that become available for your operating system, your browser, and your email program. You should also install a firewall.

Second, be cautious about opening any unexpected email. Use common sense in opening attachments. No matter who sent the email, scan all attachments before opening them. Many viruses arrive packaged in emails with intriguing subject lines.

Third, understand what a virus is. There are three types of viruses. The virus that simply misdirects your computer to unlikely, and often unpleasant, websites is a relatively simple program or string of computer code. It is usually spread in attachments to much-forwarded email.

The other two types of virus, worms and Trojan horses, are more nefarious. Hidden in your computer's active memory (RAM), a worm starts an endless replication process that eats your files to make room for the worm-created copies. Trojan horses are, like their namesake, programs that can hijack your computer. Trojan horses often arrive embedded in free programs. For example, you might get an email that apparently comes from a company you know. It directs you somewhere. If you click on the site it suggests, it then installs a Trojan horse on your computer.

If you receive a warning about a virus, how can you know if it applies to you? How can you even know if the virus warning is authentic? There are a number of websites that offer up-to-date information on current viruses. Many, offered by antivirus providers, have current information on new and evolving viruses. They include the following.

www.sophos.com

www.symantec.com/avcenter

www.mcafee.com/antivirus

A site maintained in Switzerland may also be useful. It sells anti-virus protection and offers detailed technical advice. Find it at <www.avp.ch/avpve>.

And, if you want to see the universe of some 86,000 computer viruses, there is a site devoted to viruses and virus hoaxes. Find it at www.vmyths.com

Mixed into the scary stuff are some entertaining hoaxes such as the publicity stunt orchestrated by the rock band Disturbing The Peace. To help jump start their CD sales, they concocted a phony warning about a nonexistent computer virus called the New Age Virus. Their hoax email warned that terrorists had stolen a virus from a top secret government warfare unit. The link in the email sent users to the band's website for additional information.

The bottom line: if you use the internet, you will be exposed to computer viruses. You will be attacked, so keep your defenses current.

James Kerr is President/CEO of SuperGeeks, a Hawaii-based computer service and repair company (www.supergeeks.net). Please feel free to send your questions, comments and suggestions to Mr. Kerr. He can be reached at kerr@supergeeks.net and 942-0773.