Absolute PC Security and Privacy.pdf

• Your computer shuts down unexpectedly.
• Your computer refuses to start normally, or displays strange messages during the boot
process.
• Your computer loses its CMOS settings, even with a new battery.
Note The CMOS settings are those settings for your computer BIOS that are stored in
nonvolatile memory. When your computer powers up, it accesses the CMOS
settings to determine all the hardware connected to your PC—including your
hard disk drive.
• Running the DOS CHKDSK command reports less than 655,360 bytes available.
• Your computer exhibits erratic behavior.
• Your operating system reacts slower than normal.
• Your system continually runs out of memory.
• You can’t access the hard drive when booting from the floppy drive.
• Programs take longer to load than normal.
• Programs act erratically.
• You unexpectedly run out of space on your PC’s hard drive.
• Your PC’s hard drive or floppy disk drive runs when you’re not using it.
• Your computer makes strange sounds or beeping noises.
• Your monitor displays strange graphics or messages.
• Your system displays an unusual number of error messages.
• New files appear unexpectedly on your system.
• Old files disappear from your system.
• Files have strange names.
• File sizes keep changing (particularly program files, which typically increase in size).
• Changes appear in file or date stamps.
• Your e-mail program mails out messages to all the contacts in your address book,
without your knowledge or permission.
• Word documents can only be saved as templates.
• Word file icons look like templates.
• Strange message appears when you open a Word document.
If your computer exhibits any of these symptoms, then it’s possible that your system has been
infected with a virus. Every one of these symptoms can be caused by other factors, however,
so you shouldn’t jump to conclusions; run an antivirus program and let it search your system
for any potential viruses.
The bottom line is that not all weird computer behavior is caused by viruses. Many computer
problems are caused by buggy software, incorrectly installed hardware, and good old user
error. That’s why you shouldn’t panic if your computer goes all wiggy on you; the cause may
or may not be a computer virus.
In particular, remember that viruses only affect software, not hardware. A computer virus
cannot break your printer, or damage your monitor. If you have a problem with your printer
(or scanner or mouse or whatever), chances are the problem’s in the hardware itself.
Why You Shouldn’t Overreact