Gateway ALR 7300, User Manual

Page: 31 / 50

Maintaining and Cleaning the System 21
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Program Viruses infect executable program files such as.COM,
.EXE, .OVL, .DRV, .SYS, and .BIN.
•
Macro Viruses
infect the data files of specific programs. These
viruses are written in the macro languages certain applications use
to enhance their functionality. These viruses do not infect other
programs or the boot sector.
•
Boot Viruses
attach themselves to a Boot Record, Master Boot,
FAT, or Partition Table.
•
Multipartite Viruses
are both program and boot infectors.
Viruses are inactive until the infected program is executed, or a boot record
is read. Thereafter, the virus loads itself into system memory and begins to
copy and spread itself. Diskettes used in a contaminated system can get
infected and, in turn, transfer the virus when used in another system. A
virus can also spread via programs downloaded from bulletin boards or the
Internet.
•
Obtain an anti-virus program and make it a habit to scan the
system regularly.
•
Make backup copies of all files and write-protect the disks.
•
Obtain all software from reputable sources and always scan new
software for any viruses prior to installing files.
If you suspect the system has been infected, find and remove the viruses
immediately using an anti-virus program. Then turn off the system for a
minimum of 15 seconds to clear the virus from system RAM. You may
want to rerun the anti-virus software when you turn the system back on the
verify that the system is clean.
To Prevent Virus Infection
4074.book Page 21 Thursday, April 1, 1999 2:56 PM