When speaking of computer viruses most people tend to think of the type that attacks a computer’s software system or its data. The damage that is incurred is usually determined in terms of the amount of data that is lost, the time that is wasted on repairing a damaged operating system, or application, and- worse comes to worst scenario - a full format-and-reinstall. Most people would never think it possible for a computer’s physical component(s) to be put out of commission by a software attack, which is what a computer virus basically is. But, can we be 100% sure that there isn’t a computer virus out there that can physically break a computer? And if so, why?

Frederick Forsyth the author of thriller books like 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Dogs of War' is in the news for what looks like a spy thriller. Only this time he and his wife are the stars of the tale. It seems while trying to report on the coup in Guinea-Bissau, he claims that the American Intelligence Services attacked his wife's laptop. Although it is more than likely that a good computer technician may recover all lost data, he claimed that his wife's computer had 'ceased to function' and that the real damage done was that the spies had 'totalled all her lunch dates.' Mr Forsyth has no proof for his claims.

Time was when an electronic virus was associated only with computers, but that’s not true anymore. Viruses have been created for almost every electronic device that can be thought of. But now there is a new target that is attracting the attention of an increasing number of hackers – the smartphone.

Microsoft dominates the operating system domain. The software company’s annual revenues are counted not in millions but billions of dollars. Its operating systems like Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are used on almost 90 percent of all desktops, laptops and palmtops. The Microsoft products are never far from our day to day activities. This creates a screen around us that makes us oblivious to the other software that are out there.

Microsoft has never really been known for its security. Compared to other operating systems, Windows (especially XP), really is the most attacked and hacked of all. And true to their calling Microsoft released warnings last week that attacks on its Help and Support system was increasing. Apparently, hackers had started escalating their attacks on the unpatched bug.

No matter why you have a computer at home or what you do with it at the office, virus prevention should be of utmost importance to you in the battle to save your hardware and data from viruses. In order to better understand the odds, one has to have an understanding of different aspects of computer virus prevention and how to protect your computer from viruses. Regardless of the software you choose for your antivirus protection, it is only as good as you keep it.