Can a computer be attacked by a virus if is it disconnected?
92094
Oh yes.  A oomputer that is never connected to the internet at all CAN be infected if you use a disk or CD that has been infected. Even if the computer is not connected to the internet, and cannot send outgoing information, a malicious virus can still fry your hard drive.  \n\nSecondly, if the computer is sometimes connected to the internet, it can be infected by a virus that is scheduled to activate at a later time.  This could be activated for the purpose of sending sensitive files out, or just to destroy files on the hard drive.\n\nFor example, there is currently a virus called the Kama Sutra worm that is scheduled to activate Friday, February 3 and will try to deactive security software and delete files unless detected and removed.
209815
A firewall can prevent an unautorized hacking. Now a days your antivirus comes along with an firewall. A firewall can definatly prevent to a certain extent. However there is no ways you can be completly safe from the internet.
1074500
Some certainly do.  Some viruses are intended to "take over" your machine and use it to do things like Denial of Service Attacks: basically every infected machine starts sending bogus queries to a targeted machine at the same time.  Other viruses open up your computer for the virus writer or those who know how the virus works to snoop around on your computer.  Others just try to spread themselves using your internet connection.\n\nAny of the above will use some of your bandwidth.  Most of them not a lot.  If you're experiencing slow connections, the culprit is most likely something else.  There are traffic monitoring applications that can tell you how much data is going in and out over your connection.  If data is being sent or recieved when you're not doing anything, then start to pay more attention.\n\nGood luck.
239438
Depends on the virus.  Without that info I cannot answer your question.\n\nFirst get a virus scanner to identify the virus if you have one and then we can go form there.\n\nNote to Zodiac.  What youa re saying is incorrect.  Most viruses cannot just be removed by anti virus software.  A lot of them for instance will need you to go into safe mode.  Others need to be removed manually or with special tools which are often free.  \n\nThe virus software will be good as it will identify the virus and then we can tell him what he needs to do to remove it.
1152610
watch out it could be a worm or a virus
447126
All of the can happen except the CDs part. I am sure that didn't happen. But yeah, if you get a virus on your computer, or you open something you shouldn't (like an unfamiliar webpage), the person that sent it to you can control your computer. But, it depends on what virus it is. There are all kinds out there. Some that can even get into your bank accounts! Be VERY careful!!!
415706
you sure it wasn't a virus you received?
70555
Sometimes there's no evidence at all.\n\nIf you know your computer's normal operation, sometimes you can detect abnormal disk activity or abnormally slow connection when you're online, but those could also be due to many other things.\n\nTo avoid having someone hack in to your computer, always:\n\n1. Have an anti-virus program installed, and keep the definitions up-to-date.\n\n2. Keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest fixes from the vendor (Microsoft for Windows, Apple for Macs, etc.)\n\n3. Install a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm. The one provided by default in Windows XP isn't always enough to protect you.
515244
No, I recommend Symantec Firewall/Anti-Virus, Ad Aware SE, System Mechanic and maybe Spy Doctor.  Some catch most, but all it takes is one bad virus or malware etc....
78219
The antivirus program should give you the option to quarantien or delete the virus deteced; either is effective. If you delete, the virus is removed but that should not affect any software. One does not "uninstall" a virus. If the program detects a virus but cannot delete it, then one can use the PC's Operating System (Windows) to search for the offending virus whose name should have been provided in the warning of the antivirus program. At this point I personally cannot tell you for sure if deleteing it would affect anything on your PC. When I have deleted a virus by manually (the search process), it did not affect anything else.
1186359
you need to run a virus scan on your computer
44870
Go to Symantec and run a scan of your machine.  There is a Virus and Security scan.  Run both.  This will ID the virus.  They also have several tools to remove some of the viruses
92566
Do you REALLY think we're going to sit here and tell you how to unleash a virus on someone else's computer?  Get real.  Of course, I'm sure someone else on here will be harebrained enough to answer your question, but it won't be me.
320897
can be used a trojan or a remote ip PC controller programmes
133881
not unless you have your computer set up as a citrix server, have remote control software such as go2myPC, timbuktu, or PCAnywhere installed, or some sort of backdoor program such as  BackOrifice installed as a virus.\n\nChances are, A; someone else in your household used your computer, B; you sleep-surfed or were up a little later than you thought last night, or C; you visited these sites briefly via a link in another site, but didn't do anything (perhaps your pop-up blocker didn't even let you know you visited them)
650547
your up to date anti-virus software detects it.  if you don't have up to date anti-virus software, or if you have it and don't use it, then you probably have a virus.
873281
Usually if Norton can fix it, it will or it will "build a wall around it" by putting it in quarantine.  If so, your computer will be fine.  If the virus scan cannot find the virus, you should be good!