A computer virus is a malicious software program designed to damage your system or take control of your computer. Some viruses take advantage of weaknesses in your computer’s software and infect your system.
Some examples of what a virus may do to your system are:
Write strange messages on your computer screen, or cause your PC to emit rude noises.
Alter or delete certain files on your computer.
Overwrite the boot sector of your hard drive, which would keep your computer from running properly.
Hijack your email program and use the program to send copies of the virus to all your friends and colleagues.
Take over your PC and turn it into a remote-controlled "zombie" to launch attacks on other systems.
Viruses that replicate themselves via email or over a computer network not only affect the infected PC, but also increase the amount of traffic over the network or the Internet. These fast-replicating viruses — called worms — can completely overload a company's network, shutting down servers and forcing tens of thousands of users offline.
Active Security Monitor detects a broad set of anti-virus programs (click here to see a complete list). Please note that it may take 30-60 minutes on certain occasions for Active Security Monitor to properly report the state of virus protection on your PC.