So why should you need to know about such an obscure field as computer viruses? Is it because they're lurking around every corner in cyberspace waiting to jump out and get you? Is it because they'll destroy your computer? Is it because they'll kill your dog Spot?
Nope, none of those are the reason, they aren't even true. The first one may be closest - there are computer viruses that you can find on on-line mediums like the Internet or BBSes and the like - but reputable sites scan new materials so your chances of actually picking up a virus from something you download aren't really all that great.
The probability of it happening isn't zero either, though, and the same goes for disks or files from friends and/or business associates. The consequences of a viral infection (especially if it isn't handled properly) can be considerably less than desirable (ie. loss of data, loss of time trying to restore data, loss of business, loss of money, etc). Those are possibilities one has to face, and they're possibilities one can minimize with good tools and the proper know-how.
In a business setting the truth is you probably don't need to know that much about viruses. The reason is that the computer you're using belongs to the company and the company is more than likely going to take the responsibility for maintaining it. That means they'll have special staff that are trained in the inner workings of computers and computer software and operating systems and security and a whole bunch of other things that make sure bad things don't happen on the company's systems and clean up anything that does. Unless you're a part of that staff, you probably should let them do their job instead of doing it yourself.
In the home it's a completely different story, however. If you're a home computer owner then you're the System Administrator for the computer you own whether you're qualified to do System Administration or not. Making sure the computer is properly maintained is your responsibility. And do you have a big operating budget that allows you to hire staff to come in and maintain your computer for you? I know I don't. Sure you could take it into the shop and have some tech type guy try to figure it out, and he may be knowledgable about viruses (though there have been plenty of stories about those that weren't), but that's expensive, it's a hassle, and it doesn't get little Suzie's essay out of the infernal machine in time to meet her deadline.
Enter the Anti-Virus software producers. They're businesses and they want your money, lots of it. Now some may feel that the best way to get that money is to give you the best service they possibly can but not all of them are so nice. One of the things they do is produce tools to help you deal with viral problems (often the tool of choice is the scanner though what many don't realize is that is only the first step). This can help you find known viruses and even remove them if you know how to use them correctly. Another thing the AV producers do is try to make it really easy to operate their tools, and much of the time that's enough but it's not exactly the same as knowing how to use them correctly and there are times when this shows. So yet another thing AV producers often do is offer technical support. This often helps solve the immediate problems when simply knowing how to operate a scanner isn't enough.
Sadly, all of this addresses only immediate problems, it doesn't really do much of anything to further prevention and really preventing problems is a lot nicer than solving them over and over again each time they occur. The kind of security where you just sit back and never have to deal with viruses again is something you just can't buy.
That is why you should know about computer viruses, so that you can know how to use the tools correctly, so that you can prevent virus infections, and so that you can keep your data safe and secure without having a paid staff to do it for you. Besides who wants paid staff, or worse still some guy down at the local computer shop, to have access to their personal stuff?
last modified june 8 2000 : this page hand crafted by kurt wismer