chapter 4

E-mail is a very good way to communicate today, it has changed the way we exchange information.  It has many benefits, the most obvious, is speed, but it is also cheap, and easy.  It is also a good way to share pictures, videos, music and other media.  

It has defiantly changed the way we communicate for the better but it is not entirely risk free.  Different types of viruses lurk within e-mails ready to “attack”.  They can be sent in different disguises, and even make the user believe that it is a safe, friendly e-mail.  A person then opens the email and the virus is released onto their computer, which become hidden all throughout.  Some of these viruses disguise themselves, to fool antivirus software into believing that It belongs on the computer.  These are called Trojan horses.  Once it has access to the computer it picks up personal information and can delete programs and significantly slow down the computer.  Other viruses are more specifically designed to gather the user’s personal information, and can get a hold of any information that you type into your computer, ie: social security number, credit card information etc.  Viruses can be very dangerous and one should be very cautious while opening e-mails.