THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS AND IT'S PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS AMONG PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC) USERS

THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS AND IT'S PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS AMONG PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC) USERS

ABSTRACT

A computer virus is a piece of software which attaches itself to another program causing undesirable effect on the program. It is attached similar to the way in which biological virus affect other organisms. The synonymous way it works with that of the human virus gave rise to the term computer virus. Computer viruses infect personal computers (PCs) and server. Some viruses create mere annoyance, but others can do serious damage: delete or change files, steal important information, load and run unwanted applications, send documents via electronic mail (e-mail) or even cripple a machines operating system (OS). Random sampling technique on respondents was performed while the data used for the study is collected from primary sources using a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected were logically analyzed using descriptive tool such as percentages and charts and inferential statistical tool such as chi-square. Based on the administered questionnaires the result indicated that viruses can infect computer system through a number of ways such as exchange of flash drive, hard disk and network medium.