Patent ID: 7409720

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving a virus alert, the virus alert containing information pertaining to a new virus; assessing a risk level associated with the new virus, the risk level indicating a risk of damage caused by an infection of the new virus on a computer system; and obtaining a program code when the risk level indicates that the new virus may pose a risk of damage on the computer system, the program code being configured to combat the new virus; wherein assessing the risk level associated with the new virus includes: obtaining information associated with at least one previous virus which has caused a previous infection on the computer system; and comparing the information pertaining to the new virus with the information associated with the previous virus which has previously caused the previous infection on the computer system; wherein the previous virus and the new virus are of a first type, and the information associated with the previous virus which has caused the previous infection on the computer system includes data associated with at least one of a duration of the previous infection and a scope of the previous infection; wherein if the information associated with the previous virus indicates that the previous infection did not have a prolonged duration and was not widespread, the risk level includes a low risk level.