A computer virus is an executable program, made of a set of destructive computer instructions and codes that are written by someone and disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files and spread in attachments, e-mail messages or instant messaging messages.

Once this potential virus program is open and run, it can then replicate itself and multiplies on a computer and computers on a network by making copies of itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user.

Computer Viruses have been around causing computer problems for many years. People often mistake a spyware for being a virus. Where in fact a computer virus is hidden and not made to cause ads or popups and not as obvious as a computer spyware.

The best way to combat viruses from infecting your computer is to stop them before they enter the computer. You can do this by purchasing and running a good virus protection program. These “Anti-Virus” programs can be set to run behind the scene and check computer files and emails before they enter your computer and catch, quarantine or delete, potential virus programs before they it can spared and harm the computer.

A good virus protection program is not necessary  expensive or popular, here at Moe’s Computers we usually recommend  smaller more effective programs that regularly updates its virus definition and won’t take a big chunk of the computer’s memory and stays at a low processor priority.

Keeping your computer programs and operating system up to date is also important to protect it, Microsoft releases critical service packs, updates, and patches to help keep their operating systems safe and secure. Check for those updates on a regular basis. And make sure these updates are only through the windows updates service and not form any website.

Service pack 3 is the last of windows XP updates..