Computer viruses can cause many problems if left untreated. Your data could be corrupted or deleted, your personal information could be sent to the virus’s creator, or your computer may start to behave in unusual or annoying ways.

Viruses can be avoided. Always have an up-to-date virus checking package installed on your computer, which will monitor all information received from the Internet.

Some are free to download from the Internet and others come together with firewall and parental control in a package and will charge an annual fee. Main suppliers include Norton and McAfee. Some Internet Service Providers such as BT and Virgin Media offer protection software.

Free virus checker

There are hundreds of free virus checkers on the Internet.

You can learn more about protecting your computer from viruses on these websites:

• www.getsafeonline.org (opens new window).
• www.getnetwise.org (opens new window).

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