Coffeehouse Projects, London

Viruses usually come via email although a malicious website could also pass them on.
Picture files ending in .jpg, .gif, .mpg can't carry a virus BUT many viruses arrive in formats like ".jpg.vbs" - ONLY THE LAST 3 LETTERS OF THE FILENAME COUNT.
Take most care with un-solicited files ending in .vbs, .exe, .doc, .xls and other file ID's you don't recognise even if they're from someone you know.
It is worth running anti virus software - some programs come free on magazine covers. Most rely on downloading virus signatures via the web to stay up to date. This is important and should be free.
MCAFEE & Norton are market leading anti virus providers. Our personal experience suggests Norton is the better bet as it caused fewer system crashes. When it began to crash on every scan, our single call to Macafee support didn't inspire confidence and could be summed up with the words "buy the newest version"
If your anti virus program does make your computer crash too often you may decide to change the settings which reduce protection but is more reliable. System scan usually causes most trouble.
In Windows 95/98 you can reduce your suspectability to some viruses by uninstalling a windows file called "windows scripting host". Do this by going to control panel > add/ remove programs > windows setup > accessories
Message labs top ten viruses
Links to Symantec (Norton) and Mcafee