Just what exactly is a virus? What kind is in your computer? How did it get there? How is it spreading and wreaking such havoc? And why is it bothering with your computer anyway?

Viruses are pieces of programming code that make copies of themselves, or replicate, inside your computer without asking your explicit written permission to do so. Forget getting your permission down on paper. Viruses don't bother to

seek your permission at all! Very invasive.

In comparison, there are pieces of code that might replicate inside your computer, say something your IT guy thinks you need. But the code spreads, perhaps throughout your office network, with your consent (or at least your IT guys consent). These types of replicating code are called agents, said Jimmy Kuo, a research fellow with McAfee AVERT a research arm of anti-virus software-maker McAfee Inc.

A long, long time ago in computer years, like five, most viruses were comprised of a similar breed. They entered your computer perhaps through an email attachment or a floppy disk (remember those?). Then they attached themselves to one of your files, say your Microsoft Word program.

When you opened your Microsoft Word program, the virus replicated and attached itself to other files. These could be other random files on your hard drive, the files furthest away from your Microsoft Word program, or other files, depending on how the virus writer wanted the virus to behave.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm an Internet junkie. Whenever I have free time, I like to surf the web looking for some entertaining sites. I also like to download the myriad free (and legal) videos, MP3 samples, programs, demos, and games. These things can keep me occupied for hours on end, so there's never a dull moment when I'm sitting at my monitor.

As you might expect from someone who is constantly online, I have run into a few problems over the years. Since I don't take the time to verify the integrity of each website before I visit it and since I'm sometimes too lazy to scan a download before I open it, I have picked up a few viruses along the way that have completely wiped my hard drive.

I lost everything I had on my computer at the time, including financial records, personal documents, e-mails, and digital photos. That's why I now make sure that I have the best anti virus program installed on my computer.

Back when I was just starting to connect to the Internet, I trusted the anti virus program that came pre-packaged with my computer. Usually this offered sufficient protection, but occasionally some malware and spyware still slipped through

my defenses. And when we're talking about a Trojan horse or other types of viruses getting past a computer's anti virus program, 'occasionally' is simply not acceptable.

So these days, I don't rely on that pre-packaged anti virus program to protect the contents of my computer. Instead, the first thing I do when I purchase a new computer or laptop (and the first thing that I recommend all my friends to do)

is to upgrade the anti virus program to one that better suits my surfing habits. Since I'm basically online all the time, I need an anti virus program that automatically updates itself very frequently. That way, I'm assured of having adequate protection against the newest viruses and malicious codes. I also want an anti virus program that comes backed by great customer support just in case I need help configuring the settings to accommodate my surfing habits. I think we can all agree that there's nothing worse than buying some new software and not being able to get any tech support once we've installed it.

If you spend as much time online as I do, then I recommend purchasing the best anti virus program available. Doing so will not only protect the contents of your computer, but also give you peace of mind as you surf and download.