Viruses Explained

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A computer virus is defined as a set of commands, created intentionally, that will do some level of damage to a computer.  A computer virus does not float around in cyberspace.  It usually is attached to something. 

That 'something' could be a text file (Word document), an email, a photo, a music clip, a video clip, a game or even a complete software program (usually an illegal copy or a downloaded demo).  Your computer must activate one of these 'carriers' in order to get the virus.  Simply receiving an email won't cause a virus to infect a computer.  But if you click on an attachment that's infected, there will be a problem  ):

As with new human infections, the cure for a new computer virus always takes time to be created and then distributed.