1. Are you a COMPUTER GEEK or a COMPUTER FREAK? By Evie Watkins

2. Are you not quite sure what a virus is then read very carefully. A virus is a bug that is sent to your computer either through email, the downloading of harmful programs etc. There are so many ways and you just have to make sure you are not tricked into getting one. A virus is a bit like a cold. You don’t want to get it but just by clicking (or touching one thing) you have it. You do not know why but you do. If only humans were as smart as those sneaky viruses.

3. common Viruses ILOVEYOU - This little email may seem like a friendly hello, but once you open the attachment ‘A Love Letter For You’ it wont seem so loving any more! MELISSA - This virus spreads itself with the help of email. HAPPY 99 - This little virus isn’t as happy as it may first seem. You can get the virus by opening an email attachment called Happy99. It is also known as a Trojan Horse. What you can do to kill them! You can use antivirus software to shoot those pesky little bugs down with just one click. Here is some examples and links of antivirus software:  AVG AVG  McAfee McAfee  Norton Norton  Avast Avast  Microsoft Security Essentials Microsoft Security Essentials Microsoft Security Essentials  Sophos Sophos That is just a very short list of the available antivirus software but ALWAYS make sure you have an adult with you when downloading on the internet. REMEMBER to always update your software! And to regularly run scans! Some antivirus software you have to pay for and they can slow down the internet as they run updates.

4. Guess what! I’m a virus smarty pants! Do you really know everything? Well, she may understand about the what a virus is and how you can prevent it but does she really understand what damage it can do? She is going to find out. A virus can damage files or stop the computer working all together. Some can be serious but others can be removed with the right type of antivirus software.

5. WHAT IS IT? Hacking is the unauthorised use of somebody else’s computer or network. It’s a bit like stealing! HOW CAN I STOP IT? You can stop a hacker from laying one finger on your computer by turning off your internet when it is not in use. You could also set up a password to everything that is important to you and your computer!

6. It can cause a lot of damage like the loss of files, personal information being discovered and being spread around the internet and even unwanted virus’. Well, what a lot of bother one little person can cause. Also remember a hacker can be ANYBODY!

7. What is it? Backup are files that are copies of other files that you have on your computer in case something happens to the original ones. How do I get it? You can get backups by simply buying or downloading software that does it all for you or saving your files, data, work etc. in two different files. Why do I need it? You may need backup at some point in your life and I can tell you this, you will be very pleased to have it. Without it you would have to write out all the files again and make new copies. It would take hours, days and maybe even weeks to get all your files back onto your computer if say a virus got into the original documents.

8. STAY SAFE, STAY HAPPY :)