On another note (while I am thinking on this subject), most that think they have have a computer full of viruses usually don't. Most often, it's a "memory" conflict. The DOS/Windows operating systems are very open ended. This means, everyone who writes a program, is trying to "grab" all the memory they can for their own program. People think of memory as like "1 thing", really there is dozens of types of memory. Video RAM, Actual RAM, Virtual RAM, and for older systems we had to deal with HMA (64K), Convential Memory (640K), Upper Memory Blocks, and really alot more than I could write here. The point is... The minute one program wants the same memory another wants.. your system WILL freeze. When I write programs, I don't know what they are doing, they don't know what I am either. So no real way around this.. I am just saying.. most think they have a "virus" but more often then not, it's a memory related issue.

Take care, gary

The best way to not get a "Virus", is to not open any junk mail. I tend to know ALOT about computer viruses. The reason, I program fluent in about 10 computer programming languages (C/C++, JAVA, BASIC A,- GW - Q, Visual C++, Assembly, many more). I was also the author of the only "Virus generation program" in existence that I know of. About 15 years ago, I made a program that would self generate a "virus".. the user would push some buttons, and decide what that virus was to do. It was a 2 year project. I did it to "learn, and never released it. The program could "complete" destroy a hard drive. It could take out system files (config.sys, autoexec.bat, all win .ini files.. anything really). I never wanted it released.. but it taught me alot as a programmer.

On your end, there are several things to worry about. No virus can be run, unless executed. You need to "Open" it before it can do anything. Not opening anything you worry about is the first step. Get some FREE or cheap anti-virus software. "Avast 4" is free (find on the net), and as good as any high priced software. The reason, there are two main ways a virus will infect your system. A memory resident virus is present all the time. Most any anti-virus software can detect it. What it will look for is some important file being altered. Like a ".sys, .ini, .exe, .com" or anything else that shouldn't be changed. It will halt your system. A signiture file, is basically a list of viruses that have been detected, and a known removal way. All anti-virus companies share this info. So, it really makes no difference if you pay "Norton" $80, or get Avast free. They will be exactly alike, except for user interface.

Virus types, are many. A Trojan Horse is basically a password stealing virus. A worm, will basically grow into other files and infect however the programmer created it to do. Again I will say, nothing can "execute" unless you "execute it". So avoid anything suspicious.

Anyway.. I am most always here.. if you ever have a question.. feel free to email me. gary

My computer is so full of viruses I don't think another one could even sneak in, but I wouldn't open something like that anyway. Thanks for the heads up

Thank you so much. You are a terrific lady, Ms. Teal.

Thanks for that important information. I will certainly delete any of theses if they pop up in my e-mail.