Who is motivated to create Virus? It is popular to blame "Hackers" and no doubt there are a few young very smart and knowledgeable people who find it a challenge to see if they can create something that will spread. But this is not a career for them. It is simply an intellectual challenge and after they find, yes there are "Microsoft Holes" the challenge is over.

But, there are at least two companies whose very existence depends on a constant stream of new virus. They are Symantec and MacAfee. Creating virus, and immediately the software to stop them is big business. So big their software nearly "has to be purchased" by every computer user. Need I point out the need for Windows in nearly every PC has produced some of the world's wealthiest people. I have no proof, but I strongly suspect the creators and distributors of at least 90% of the virus are the two companies named above.

I believe I can tell you how to avoid virus
For Free!

A major way someone can target a given computer "out of the blue" is through email. Most of us like the convenience of email. So is there anything we can do to prevent the virus and still receive email from friends? I assume we all know it is unwise to open attachments or click on links in "strange" email. But, it is not obvious what attachments, even from friends, might have been sent by a virus in their computer. My solution is simple. There are no virus in simple text, they have to come as "Attachments". In Internet Explorer you can set up "Message Rules". All you need to do is set it to "Delete at the server" all email with attachments. I have more information about it on my Email Etiquette page. This is cheap, so don't expect anyone making a profit selling anti-virus anything, including "Fire Walls" to tell you about it.

Of course, when you download a web page Microsoft has made it so it can include a lot of stuff you don't want including "mean programs". Years ago, I wrote about virus and the laws but it would require legal action against Microsoft. But, Bill Gates has lots of money and it would be a tough fight.

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