After being infected, Howard's programs wouldn't work, and her computer would shut down when she attempted to install anything. At first, she blamed a program she had recently installed that allowed her to clear out a clogged hard drive. She began removing programs in an attempt to fix the problem. Finally, she figured out the real source of her PC's ills. In the wake of her frustrating experience, Howard will not allow anyone using her computer to use disks from outside her workplace.
Many myths surround viruses, and just about as many hoaxes.
It doesn't exist. Moreover, you cannot get a virus merely by reading e-mail or participating in an instant message conversation. But anything downloaded into your PC, most commonly from a floppy disk or e-mail attachment, may contain a virus, particularly if it comes from an unknown source. Somebody wanted to see how far it would get. But more insidious viruses can maliciously target employers or enemies by disrupting or corrupting systems, Orvis says.