If you need proof, look no further than "Melissa" and "I love you," two email viruses that paralyzed computer systems around world as recently as 1999 and 2000. Another virus named "Nimda" infected approximately 2.2 million computers in about a 24 hour period.

There are now estimates of over 58,000 different known computer viruses currently in circulation. The risk of damage to your small business computer system is increasing.

What different types of computer attacks do you need to be concerned about now?

~ Virus: A malicious code that alters data on a computer and harasses user by deleting data or altering operating system files, especially boot files.

~ Trojan Horse: A program that is not what it seems to be. A popular version pretends to be and anti-virus fix and instead delivers a virus.

~ Worm: A virus that is self-replicating, most often through email

~ Zombie: A dormant Trojan that is placed on a computer then waits for a command to do its damage.

So what to do?

1. Regularly backup everything that is of value that you have stored on your computer. A small business's biggest safeguard could simply be backing up your data. Some of today's viruses are so powerful, anti-virus software cannot clean infected files; software can only delete infected files.

2. Use anti-virus software. Check for updates regularly. Scan all files on your computer periodically.

3. Your Internet connection needs a firewall (a protective software layer that sits between your computer and outside world).

Approximately 10 % of U.S. Internet users have fast cable modems or high-speed phone-based digital subscriber lines. The "always on" nature of these high-speed connections creates an open door for these computer attacks. Firewalls are essential for those connecting to Internet with high-speed connections.

Even dial-up connections may be at risk, so install a firewall. Your firewall will act as your safe gatekeeper between your computer system and Internet hackers.

Note that anti-virus software won't detect hacker intrusions but your firewall will. Your firewall won't detect viruses but your anti-virus software will -- so install both anti-virus and firewall software on your system.

For you, more to point is how you will react to it! Will it be major disaster that will put you and your business at a stand-still? Or will it be a minor inconvenience of a couple hours down time? Or better yet, are you willing to make effort now to prevent disaster from striking your PC system completely! It may be done if you follow some of following some simple steps to make your life a lot more pleasant.

First of all, your computer system hates heat. Even if you are a good housekeeper; dust, skin flakes, hair, etc. will make their way into your computer. This dust then attaches its self to your computer's internal components. This will increase temperatures by insulating components and causing failures. It may also increase risk of an electrical short within your system.

In addition, your computer system should be cleaned at least once a year. It should be scheduled even more often, if your office area contains a lot of airborne dust. It follows, that you should always place your computer, monitor, printer, etc. in a well ventilated area to keep it from overheating. In addition, avoid placing your computer system in direct sunlight.

Another danger for your computer system is electric surges. If you are one of people who do not have a surge protector on your computers, printers, scanners, etc. -- correct that right away! Be sure to use proper surge protection for your computer, printer, etc. This included your telephone lines for your modem. Your surge protector should have a UL 1449 rating. The best protection is an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

When installing a new hardware component to your computer system, ground all of components. One lesser known surge conductor is your office's telephone line. PCs hooked directly into wall's phone jack should also have a surge protector for that line.

An electric surge can also blow your computer's motherboard (controls data movement within your computer) and cause some major problems.

Use your Microsoft Windows' disk scan on your hard drive once a week. Use your Windows' defrag utility once a month. These utilities may be used through your Windows system tools. [Go to START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, SYSTEM TOOLS, then ScanDisk or Defragmeter. Be sure to turn off your screen saver before you run your hard disk defrag.]