2006-09-05 15:50:22 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Actually, I am using Firefox now (love it), and have just renewed my subscription to McAfee.
2006-09-05 15:58:25 · update #1
On TV I have seen computers burst into flames after being infected by a virus.
2006-09-05 16:01:43 · update #2
To the computer no. But to the data yes. But then again data is not physical. If that's what you mean.
Even though there haven't been such viruses, theoretically it is possible for a virus for example set the display settings to a value too high for the monitor to take therefore busting it, or assign repetitive head read/writes to a hard disk for an extended time.
Oops.. am I giving ideas to virus writers?
2006-09-05 16:01:22 · answer #1 · answered by kevinrtx 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-26 21:46:27 · answer #2 · answered by Edmond 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The HD is magnetic storage which means that every time you write on it the media gets more worn. This is why it isn't recommended to format the whole HD often and in my opinion 4 times it a year is often. If you can't help it than do it again but the life expect ency of your HD will decrease if you continue at this rate. The best way is prevention: always have an antivirus program running and I recommend a firewall as well. A spyware program is also a must in my view. Since this type of program changes the registry there is a minuscule chance that it might cause problems the operation system or other programs but I have never encountered such a problem. Look at it this way: without one you WILL have damaging addaware, with it there is a tiny chance that you MIGHT have to reinstall a program. I know which one I prefer.
2016-03-26 23:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with both Apocalypse and kevinrtx. Viruses will not cause physical damage to your computer. It's the data that's contained on your hard drive that will become damaged, which could take you a long time to sort out.
2006-09-05 16:10:43 · answer #4 · answered by micksmixxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will not be any physical damage unless you really get irritated and you yourself do something to your computer. But viruses can really harm all your files so get virus out if you figure you computer is infected.
2006-09-05 21:52:13 · answer #5 · answered by Hardrock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Techincally no...
The worst a virus is going to do is cause you hours of pain of either manually rooting out the suspected file OR making you backup your precious files and then formatting the drive
@nora
You are wrong, they can not physically harm your hardware.... They could cause bad sectors in your HDD causing you to have to reformat but techincally that is not physically harming the device...
2006-09-05 15:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by Apocalypse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Viruses can destroy hardware, memory and peripherals.
Do whatever you can to keep your virus software and firewalls up to date!
2006-09-05 15:56:25 · answer #7 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes..it could make your computer explode.Or it could catch on fire.
2006-09-05 15:53:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
except causing you to throw, punch or burn because of annoyance... no.
2006-09-05 15:53:01 · answer #9 · answered by Glenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not these days, no
2006-09-05 15:54:44 · answer #10 · answered by metallhd62 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋