A virus is a piece of computer code that attaches itself to a program or file so it can spread from computer to computer, infecting as it travels. A true virus requires human interaction in order to spread, such as the sending of an email containing a virus or downloading an infected file from a file sharing network.

Viruses can cause damage to networks, software, hardware, and computer files.

There are many Virus removal tools and online virus scanners available to help users in removing viruses from their system. There are also several anti-virus programs that users can install on their system that will help prevent viruses from ever installing in the first place. See the Virus Information page for more information.

The best way to prevent viruses from ever getting onto your computer in the first place is to keep and up-to-date anti-virus program on your computer at all times. As new viruses come out, anti-virus programs need to be updated in order to identify these viruses and protect a computer from them. Most anti viruses will automatically update every 24 hours or so, requiring no user interaction, however, it is essential to check and make sure that your anti-virus program is set to do so.

Many computer manufacturers include free trial versions of popular anti-virus programs (Norton, McAfee, or others) on each computer system they sell. Usually, these programs will protect your computer for a short time, say 30 days, but will require the user to purchase the program after the trial period has expired. This can be misleading since many people who see anti-virus software already installed on their system might be led to think that their computer is protected when it is actually at risk unless they have purchased the program.

Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without obtaining the user's consent. Common indications that a machine may be infected with spyware include frequent pop-up advertisements, the changing of a homepage to another web page, or the presence of difficult-to-remove toolbars that the user didn't install.

There are many Spyware removal tools available online to help computer users in removing viruses from their system. Please see the Spyware Information page for more info.

Anti-Spyware programs that will protect your computer in real time are available from many security software manufacturers. The EZ Armor Security Suite that is available FREE to Road Runner subscribers also includes real time spyware protection.

File sharing generally refers to the use of peer-to-peer file sharing programs and networks in which users share their music, photos and movie files with other users connected to the same peer-to-peer network.

While file sharing itself is not a crime, files that are protected by copyright may NOT be legally shared over peer-to-peer file sharing networks. The distribution and/or reproduction of such content without permission is a violation of federal copyright law and also a violation of the Road Runner Acceptable Use Policy.