How viruses spread

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How viruses spread

The most likely virus entry points are email, Internet and network connections, floppy disk drives, and modems or other serial or parallel port connections. In today's increasingly interconnected workplace (Internet, intranet, shared drives, removable drives, and email), virus outbreaks now can spread faster and wider than ever before.

The following are some common ways for a virus to enter your system:

  • Email attachments

  • World Wide Web (WWW) sites

  • FTP traffic from the Internet (file downloads)

  • Shared network files & network traffic in general

  • Demonstration software

  • Pirated software

  • Shrink-wrapped, production programs (rare)

  • Computer labs

  • Electronic bulletin boards (BBS)

  • Diskette swapping (using other people’s diskettes for carrying data and programs back and forth)