Viruses are an unfortunate part of life when dealing with the nature of networked computing today.
Ranging from simple macro viruses to more complex strains such as the Chernobyl virus, they can cause problems that run the gamut from annoying to destructive. They can be transmitted through such harmless actions as opening an e-mail attachment or a file that you have downloaded from the Internet. Last fall, several students had their computers infected with the Thus. A virus right before the end of the semester, jeopardizing term papers, final exams, and peace of mind during a stressful time. Luckily, viruses are relatively easy to detect and avoid if you are careful and utilize protection software on your computer at home.