Welcome to the Virus Center!  We have compiled a set of links and information that will help you understand more about viruses, worms, urban legends and hoaxes.  Every week there is a new "Virus Alert" that is emailed from friend to friend.  Are they legitimate?  The odds are that it's probably just another hoax, but the best way to find out is to visit a comprehensive Virus and Hoax Center Online.  Therefore, below is a host of links for complete virus information, how to know if you're infected and what you should do.

OK.  Now you got your antivirus software up and running and you're feelin' all fuzzy and warm; got nothin' to worry about...right?  WRONG!  Sorry to say that you're still in danger.  In today's environment, hackers are targeting browsers.  One slick way of slipping in a Trojan Horse virus is to bomb the browser with pop-ups (or a streaming video app, or MIDI file ((audio file) resulting in a buffer over-flow that allows a hackers code to escape into the rest of your PC's memory and begin executing!  Sure does make you scared to surf the web!

However, there is a simple solution; FIREWALL!  The are quite a few out there but the best by far is Zone Alarm.  They offer a free download of the basic version as well as a fee based advanced version.  So, since the basic version is free and we hopefully have thoroughly scared you, there is no excuse not to be running a firewall!  Tired of Pop-Up ads?  You can cure that with a firewall as well.

• Ad-aware 6.0 - Scan your system for ad-supported software components and remove them.
• Spybot Search & Destroy - Search your hard disk & registry for threats to security & privacy.
• MyPrivacy - Erase all traces of your Internet and PC activities.

Be careful of what pop-up ads you click.  It is possible for an ad to redirect your browser and ask you to download an innocent looking file which actually could contain a virus to control your computer or steal your information.

Don't be suckered in by the pop-ups that tell you your computer has been infected and to "CLICK HERE".  VERY BIG NO NO!  How do they know your infected unless they plan to infect you!  This one's a no-brainer.  As a rule, do not click ANY pop-up ads.

DO NOT click ads that read "INSTANT WINNER, CLICK HERE...".  Some are legit but even those just want your personal information so they can sell it or bomb your email with garbage.  Whatever you may get in return is not worth your time.  However, some of these are malicious and you will not know until after...you know!  Good Rule of Thumb:  Some Folks says, but the old Folks knows, everything that shines, ain't gold!

Only download files that you know and from reputable sites.  File-sharing sites such as music files, are notorious for passing on viruses from one infected file sharer to another.  The safest way to download files:  Download them as a "Saved" file only.  Do not run the program or open the file directly from the host server.  Once you have saved the file, scan the file for viruses before executing or opening.

Be careful of email files you receive from friends.  Any file received that ends with .exe should raise the red flags.  This is an executable file.  Only open files that you are expecting and only after you have scanned them with your virus detection software.  This seems like a pain, but it only takes a couple seconds for the software to scan the file and it is sure better than, "I wish I would have!".

Lastly, just use caution and common sense.  Do not store you passwords or financial information in a file on your computer.  If you do get hacked, this will be a juicy bonus to anyone looking.  Run a virus scan daily or at least every other day on your computer.  If you think your infected, disconnect from the Internet, reboot, close all open programs and then run a virus scan.  Most viruses can easily be removed.  However, some may require more drastic measures such as reformatting the hard drive.  In any case, it is a wise grasshopper that keeps their files backed-up!